Computer Doc News

Five tips for using Ccleaner to degunk your system | TechRepublic

05/18/2012 12:44:00

TechRepublic

April 8, 2011, 12:57 PM PDT

Takeaway: Ccleaner is one of the best all-around tools for keeping your computer optimized and free of the junk that accumulates from Internet surfing, obsolete apps, and other fragments that clog up your system.

There are a lot of tools out there that handle a lot of tasks, from antivirus tools that also clean your drive of temporary files and make you coffee to tools that promise to “make your computer faster.” But as far as I’m concerned, few tools can make as much of a difference as Ccleaner, at least on a machine that’s not infected by a virus or malware. Ccleaner is easy to use and will keep your computer cleaner, more secure, and running faster. It achieves this by safely removing temporary Internet files (and other means of tracing Internet activity), cleaning up the Windows registry, and removing temporary files and recent file lists (MRUs) from various applications.

But even though Ccleaner is a simple tool to use, that doesn’t mean you should just jump in and start cleaning everything without a bit of thought. Here are some things all users should consider before and during the use of this powerful tool.

Note: This article is also available as a PDF download.

1: Analyze before running the Cleaner

I know a lot of admins who just fire up Ccleaner and hit the Run Cleaner button without doing an analysis first. Yes, this is a fast method of getting rid of temporary Internet files. But there’s no way of knowing what’s going to be deleted (until it’s deleted) and there’s no way of knowing how much free space the deletion is going to create. Make sure you hit the Analyze button first. Then, after you read the report, hit the Run Cleaner button. Using Ccleaner this way ensures that nothing is deleted that shouldn’t be deleted. Also, after you run the analyzer, you can look at detailed information (by application) and then add exceptions directly from the list.

2: Set up cookies you want to keep

When you run the Cleaner, cookies are deleted. By default, cookies are retained from Google and Yahoo, but other cookies might need to be retained. To manage this, click on the Options tab and then on the Cookies button. From that window, any cookie currently on the system can be selectively added to the exclusion list. By adding these exclusions, you don’t have to worry about important cookies disappearing after each run of Ccleaner.

3: Always back up the registry

No matter how reliable Ccleaner is and no matter how many successful registry cleanups it does, never do a cleanup without first backing up the registry. Ccleaner will go so far as to remind you to back up the registry every time you run a registry cleanup. If the registry is not backed up, one of those corrupt or missing registry keys that Ccleaner fixes might not really have needed fixing. If that key is then broken and was not backed up, the issue caused by Ccleaner could become catastrophic. Fortunately, Ccleaner makes backing up the registry as simple as a couple of clicks.

4: Use the tools to manage startup applications

Ccleaner comes with a bonus: It lets you enable, disable, or remove programs from startup. I have always found this method of managing startup applications far easier than using the standard Windows method. What I like most about this feature is that startup applications can be enabled and disabled without removing them completely. This means if you need to temporarily prevent an application from starting up, it’s easy to do by going into the Tools tab, clicking the Startup button, selecting the application to be enabled/disabled, and clicking the appropriate button. When the application needs to be re-enabled/disabled, reverse the process.

5: Use the uninstaller

One of the best aspects of Ccleaner is the ability to remove applications from within it. It typically just starts the uninstaller, but I have found that running the application uninstaller this way ends with fewer registry issues than when I uninstall from the Windows Add/Remove Programs tool. And if there are registry issues after the uninstall, registry cleanup is only a couple of clicks away.Great tool, used wisely Ccleaner is more than just a tool to clean the registry or empty a computer of temporary Internet files. It also makes it easy to remove applications from startup and remove applications from the machine. Just make sure you use this powerful tool intelligently to avoid rendering your machine unusable.

Additional reading

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Top 5 Myths Customers Believe About “Going Apple” (from www.technibble.com)

05/18/2012 12:32:00

“If I got a Mac, I wouldn’t have these problems.” If I got a nickel for every time a customer told me that…. well, you get where I’m headed with this. There seems to be a perceived consensus among a segment of my customer base that believes going Mac would solve all their ills, save them money, and provide numerous other benefits. While there are situations where Macs are justified, the steamrolling in the media by the Apple-centric movement to iEverything helps fuel a majority of this misconception surrounding the Apple brand.

The purpose of this article is squarely aimed at debunking common myths surrounding using Macs as desktop or laptop PC replacements. And I’m not going to say that Apple’s computers aren’t well engineered. They have their place, and determining where that may be is up to technicians like ourselves. But I decided to tackle this touchy topic since I know many computer techs are being asked about this at an increasing rate, and it’s hard to be properly informed with so many myths running rampant in the public view.

I’ve done quite a bit of research on many of these myths over the years and have formulated educated responses when customers ask for my professional opinion. I’m

not an Apple hater, but I do want to better educate my customers and dis-spell the myths that never seem to die. You’re likely considered the technology expert by your own fellow customers, so it’s a good idea to have a rounded consideration of the other side of the fervent pro-Mac argument. Present your customers with the real facts and let them decide on which route they want to go.

Let’s have a look at the 5 most common myths that I hear from customers:

Myth #5: “Macs don’t get viruses, hence they are the most secure computer.”

As long as computers & software are made by humans, they will be insecure. Let’s not kid ourselves. While the above argument would have been slightly more plausible in the remaining stretch of Windows XP’s heyday (2004-2007 or so) when viruses and malware were just destroying the aging OS, the times have since changed. It’s 2012 and malware writers have finally noticed the Mac market as being sizable enough to matter.

I guess therein lies the other misconception about Windows machines – that they are innately insecure because Windows is a poorly written OS, Microsoft doesn’t care about us, etc. Surprisingly, the opposite seems to be true according to numerous reports. Security vendor Secunia came out with a study that said Apple actually has the most holes of any major software maker, and white hat hacker & security research team lead at 3Com Tippingpoint, Aaron Portnoy, told Computerworld that

Windows 7 was much safer than Apple’s Snow Leopard OS from his findings during exploit hunts.

The bigger concern here, of course, is that the public continues to believe that they do not need antivirus software for their Mac systems. PC Magazine reported about the

growing malware problem on OS X at length last year, and security software vendor F-Secure even re-introduced a Mac version of its client in 2011 in response to the growing threat of Mac malware. The number of Macs I’ve personally cleaned in the last 3 months alone is troubling. All of these Macs had no security software installed and the users were oblivious to how much malware their Macs were hosting. I’ve since switched them all over to ESET’s excellent Cybersecurity for MAC product without issue, but the underlying problem remains. Customers continue to believe the “Macs get no viruses” tagline and need informed technicians to steer them otherwise. I’m not saying they need to ditch their Macs; but securing them with proper software is a necessity and not a nicety anymore.

Myth #4: “My friends say Macs are just easier to use.”

This myth is based around a concept which is highly subjective, and I’ll keep this one short and sweet. Who’s to say what would be easier and more intuitive for

you when someone else is basing their judgement upon their own experiences? For many people, the Windows environment is well known, established, and they can use it to get their work done the way they are subsequently used to. For example, Ashton Mills from APC Magazine highlighted a number of the caveats of Windows that he believes trumps OS X, and Betanews staff writer Joe Wilcox went into detail as to

why he ditched the Mac in favor of Windows 7. Of course, there are plenty of others on the flipside of this fence – but we shouldn’t create a broad judgement for ALL customers based upon the experiences of a few.

A subjective opinion that comes down to personal preference should be kept at that. Don’t force your customers onto a Mac (or Windows box vice-versa) just because their friends or yourself find it easier. For many, ease of use may sit solely within what they have become comfortable with over the last ten years of their professional life.

Myth #3: “People say all the software I need is available on the Mac, too.”

Again, a matter of subjectivity and intended usage are much more relevant to such a conclusion rather than a blanket statement. Surely Mac compatibility with major software suites has gotten immensely better over the last 3-4 years, but gaps indeed remain. The likes of Adobe products including Photoshop and Indesign are carbon-copies of their PC cousins, and the same rings true for the Office suite (to a certain extent) and many other products people are accustomed to. Hardware compatibility is largely a non-issue now after manufacturers spent much of the past half decade catching up to pace with their Windows driver assortment. Some hardware will still face issues however.

The above trend doesn’t hold true in all regards though. Microsoft Office mainstays like Access, Publisher, and OneNote are notably absent on the Mac still. Popular business accounting suite Peachtree has yet to release a Mac variant. Quickbooks has a Mac version, but it’s crippled largely by having a smaller feature set, different file formats, and nearly no 3rd party application integration. And for those who live and die by the AutoDesk suite, the Mac has no native versions of Inventor, Revit, or 3DS Max just to name a few. This list is by no means exhaustive but covers a few common programs that some businesses can’t live without. There’s always the option of using

Parallels to make it work, but my response to that is in Myth #1 below.

Myth #2: “Macs are simpler machines and therefore are cheaper to repair.”

This myth, once more, pits an argument that could be subjective to the scenario surrounding the cause for a needed repair. On the software side of things, I’m not going to make any judgement whether Windows or Mac systems are easier to work with. Some trained Mac techs could breeze through a Mac issue much faster than I could. But likewise, I’d probably hold my own on the Windows side of things. We can agree on that much.

Software aside, however, and things become a different story. While a greater portion of Mac hardware is utilizing standard PC-style equipment, many of the niche parts that make up a majority of Apple’s systems are downright costly to repair or replace. Why is this? Simple laws of supply and demand. The overall market for Mac systems is relatively small compared to PCs which keeps prices high on most Mac-only replacement parts. I recently handled a 2007-era iMac desktop repair that needed a whole new LCD screen. The Apple Store quoted this customer over $500 for the entire job. They were a family friend and I had forgone charging labor (for various reasons) but the screen itself came in at over $280 alone. If I had to bundle labor, the job would have likely cost this person closer to $400. Not only was the part very hard to come by, but the labor to install the new screen was nearly double what a PC counterpart would have taken. In general, most of my Mac hardware repairs come at a 30-50% premium over comparable PC repairs in similar situations.

So are Macs cheaper to repair than PCs? Possibly, but only if you consider software repairs in the equation. Hardware repairs on PCs are still more affordable by a fair margin.

Myth #1: “Everyone says Macs have a lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).”

One thing business owners love to discuss with me is TCO. Seeing that many of them are average consumers as well, they’ve heard the tagline of Macs costing less to operate in comparison to PCs. I then start to run the numbers with them compared to their current environment. Let’s say a hypothetical business owner runs an office of 6 machines. He is considering moving to all Macs. They use a scattering of programs including Access and Quickbooks. The cheapest Mac desktop they can purchase is the $1200 iMac . There’s no Mac version of Access, and they don’t want to use a watered down edition of Quickbooks on the Mac, so they decide to go the Parallels route for each workstation.

Not only do they need a copy of Parallels for each machine, but now a legal copy of Windows 7 is necessary for every Mac to run their business programs. Add in antivirus solutions for both the native Mac OS X and virtual Windows environments (per Myth #5 above) and software costs just skyrocketed. And let’s not forget that workers will likely need to be retrained on how to work a multi-OS Parallels environment – tacking re-education costs onto the final transition bill. Similar conditions can keep the tab on a consumer-oriented migration high as well, namely in re-education and dual-licensing scenarios. And remember that Macs start at $1199 USD. Comparable high end PCs could be had for a few hundred less, and more cost effective mid-range PCs go for nearly half that price. In this economy, that initial cost difference is a tough sell for some.

You can see where the path is headed. Every time I have a discussion like this with a business owner, they quickly realize that Mac isn’t always the nirvana of cost reduction everyone claims. Are there situations where going with Mac make sense? Sure. I won’t deny that by any means. Freelance artists, video production folk, and other niche industries can definitely benefit from using a Mac. But don’t blindly equate a lower TCO with moving to the Mac platform without running the numbers first. In many situations, businesses with a secured and stable PC environment will save a good margin over switching over to the other side.

I know this topic as a whole evokes a lot of emotion from the Windows and Mac diehards. But for the sake of those we serve – our customers, ultimately – we need to put aside the misconceptions and myths behind why someone should be on a Mac or not. Instead, resort to more grounded reasoning that makes sense using facts like the ones I referenced above. We’re considered the experts in our field because of our combined experience, knowledge, and professional judgement. Flying a flag in one side of the computer battlefield for the sake of self-fulfillment is an injustice to your customer base and effectively to yourself as a computer repair technician, too.

8 tips on how to protect yourself online

10/26/2011 08:38:00

8 tips on how to protect yourself online (from AT&T Support)

Using the Internet can be an enjoyable and valuable experience for you and your family, as long as you do it safely and smartly. Follow these tips to avoid problems:

Shop safely. Many online stores have the right protection for you to purchase online. Read the online store's privacy and security policies before shopping. If you plan to order from an online store, be sure that the Web site uses secure technology. When you are at the checkout screen, verify that the Web address begins with https. Also, check to see if a tiny locked padlock symbol appears at the bottom right of the checkout screen or that there is a statement on the checkout screen stating that the checkout pages are secure with a security technology vendor. Check that the security technology does exist by checking the security technology company's Web site.
Watch out for phishing scams. Phishing scams use fraudulent e-mails and fake Web sites, masquerading as legitimate businesses, to lure unsuspecting users into revealing private account or login information. To be safe, if you receive an e-mail from a business that includes a link to a Web site, make certain that the Web site you visit is legitimate. Instead of clicking through to the Web site from within the e-mail, open a separate Web browser and visit the business' Web site directly to perform the necessary actions. You can also verify that an e-mail is in fact from a legitimate business by calling the business or agency directly.
Use e-mail wisely. E-mail is a great way to keep in touch with friends and family and as a tool to conduct business. Even if you have good security software on your PC, however, your friends and family might not have the same protection. Be careful about what information you submit via e-mail. Never send your credit-card information, Social Security number, or other private information via e-mail.
Get a good anti-virus or internet security suite. There are some very good free anti-virus applications out there such as Microsoft Security Essentials and Avast Free Anti-Virus. If you require total protection (identity theft, personal firewall, etc.), then look into an internet security suite. Choose one that doesn't hog your system resources, especially when your system boots up. A very good free on-demand scanner is made by Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.
Create smart and strong passwords. Make it difficult for hackers to crack your password. You can create a smart password by incorporating capital letters, numbers and special characters, and using more than six characters. An example of a strong password is: Go1dM!n3 (variation of GoldMine).
Pay attention to your children's online activities. Keep your home computer in a community area so that you can monitor their activity. Use child software that is age-appropriate. Limit your children's time spent online. Install and use parental controls software that allows you to monitor your children's activity online. This will keep your children from accessing undesirable Web sites and sharing personal information via online communications.
Fun and carefree online gaming. Internet games are fun for the whole family. Make sure you are careful when playing online games, especially when communicating with other players. Be sure that your security software still functions when you are in gaming mode.
Be smart when using instant messaging (IM) programs. If you use an IM program to communicate with friends and family, be careful about sending any personal information through online communications. Protect yourself by using a nickname for your IM screen name, so your name isn't identified through IM. Never accept strangers into your IM groups. Be smart about how you use IM at work because your employer has the right to monitor and view your messages.

Paying for antivirus doesn't improve protection

05/16/2011 11:18:00

Credit for this post goes out to Woody Leonhard in the Windows Secrets Newsletter of May 5, 2011:

"I've been recommending free antivirus software since the second edition of

Windows XP All-In-One For Dummies, nearly a decade ago. I've drawn the wrath of many a player in the billion-dollar AV industry, but I still say there's absolutely no reason at all to pay for antivirus protection.

Back in XP times, I recommended AVG Free, Avira, ESET's NOD32, and the like — many of those products were, and still are, free for personal use. That's changed. Starting with the second edition ofWindows 7 All-In-One For Dummies, I've stopped recommending any third-party antivirus software. Why? Because Microsoft makes a first-rate AV product that's absolutely free for anyone with a genuine copy of Windows. It's also free for organizations of 10 or fewer people.

Microsoft Security Essentials (download page) goes in easily, runs quietly, needs no tending, and catches as many infectious programs as any of the big-name antivirus products. And it's free. Fred Langa has a full description in his May 6, 2010,

Top Story , "The 120-day Microsoft security suite test drive."

I've heard all the arguments against Microsoft Security Essentials. Yes, it's like asking the fox to guard the chicken coop. But in this case, MSE's one fine fox.

MSE doesn't catch all the nasties, all the time. No AV product does. If you shoot yourself in the foot and wittingly install a rogue anti-malware program, for example, MSE may not keep you from pulling the trigger. In desperate situations, you may need a special-purpose program such as Malwarebytes to cleanse your system. But for everyday use, MSE works as well as any of the big-name, expensive, constantly money-grubbing packages. Get rid of 'em.

The only downside to installing MSE? You have to figure out how to completely remove the antivirus program you have now. Good luck."

If you need help removing your old expired antivirus program and downloading Microsoft Security Essentials, then bring your computer by my shop at 2315 Reidville Road and I'll do it for you - $25.

Computer Tips and Tricks - Introducing New Feature

05/16/2011 10:46:00

A new feature from Computer Doc - a tips and tricks news blog is coming soon.

Why should you take your valuable time to read this? Ever wondered what the best anti-virus program is? Free or paid subscription? Should you turn your computer off or leave it running? How to preserve laptop battery life? What free programs are available that are just as good as expensive alternatives? How to get rid of a virus once infected?

If these questions have ever occurred to you, then stay tuned for Computer Doc's tips and tricks for better, safer, and less expensive computing.