Beware of Scareware

There are various different kinds of the malicious threats to the computer that remembering each of them is bit tedious. The threats include virus, malware, adware, Trojans but apart from these there is Scareware about which not everyone is aware of.
Scareware is a type of software that frightens you into downloading and purchasing certain rogue products (for e.g. fake antivirus, fake firewall). Scareware frightens you into installing the rogue product by displaying screens of your computer being attacked and claiming to be the solution to that attack. Typically, they are the result of scripts stitched into legitimate, hacked web sites, or into banner ads.
If you fall into the prey of this Scareware attack and if it gets installed in the system then it can invade your computer and attempt to record your keystrokes and banking/personal information. It can also attempt to take remote control of your machine to serve as a spam-sending Zombie robot.

The safest way to avoid being a victim to scareware is to:
1. Not click on any of the buttons within the browser window and instead, close the entire browser screen.
2. Run an antivirus scan immediately to ensure that new viruses have not been installed by the software.

Microsoft Releases Silverlight 3

Microsoft has always been interested in developing the Silverlight for the last two years now but recently Microsoft released the latest version Silverlight 3.

What Is Silverlight?

Silverlight is a plug-in for delivering media experiences and interactive applications for the Web. Silverlight enables companies to design, develop, and deliver powerful applications and experiences for the web.

It works same as Adobe Flash and with Mac OS, Windows, Linux, and devices.

Silverlight was first introduced in 2007, the second version of which was released in September 2008 but the new and improved version Silverlight 3 was released in July 2009 with the feature called Smooth Streaming.

The free and 4MB tool will help you experience high-definition video playback right on your desktop.

Link to Silver Light: http://www.microsoft.com/silverlight/get-started/install/default.aspx

Microsoft Launches Windows 7 Officially

On 22nd October, Microsoft had officially launched the latest generation of its Windows version that is Windows 7.Well by now almost all of us would be having some or the other image of the OS in mind but the full version of the OS is finally here with us. In case if you wish to know the reasons of buying the new OS for yourself, here are the facts listed by MS check http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/compare/top-ten-reasons.aspx.


So just decide the right version for you and pick up the copy for yourself. This time the confusion is less for the users to decide with which version to go as the new PCs will come with the pre-loaded version of Windows 7 Home Premium.
So what you can do is either get a new computer pre-loaded with Windows 7 or upgrade your old OS.

Real 3D Desktop 1.19

Real 3D Desktop 1.19use www.rapid8.com to download Get the reality on your desktop! You certainly know, the file queues on your Desktop becomes always longer, daily coming new files and you lose slowly the overview. Are you missing the certain order, the feeling of a genuine desk, just the reality? "Real Desktop" brings back this experience to you again! Your icons behaving now to the high performance physics engine like real objects which one you can touch and move, as on a real desk. By this revolutionary new type of representation of the Desktop you dip off into a new dimension of full live and exciting dynamics. Thus you recover the possibility of designing your personal order in the own chaos exactly as in the real life.Do you have older files on your Desktop, which you would like to put aside for later?No Problem! "Mark it, grap it and throw it just in a corner."Are some files more important than others for you? You have the possibility with "Real Desktop" to change the (visual) the size of your files. In this way, important files take more place on the desk than the other ones and are thus easier to find and reach.A exceedingly special aspect is however the own actualization. You have the choice between different background and icon styles. It is particularly interesting that you can realize your completely individual Style by own graphics.http://rapidshare.com/files/168748232/Real_3D_Desktop_1.19.rar

Information on Windows Registry

Almost all of us have come across this term “Windows Registry” and many of us have even done some changes in it but without knowing what it is and what it does. Also many posts of mine include registry editing but none tells you what actually a registry is.
Windows Registry

The Windows Registry is the most important component of a computer and is responsible for its proper working. It is a directory that stores settings and other things for Microsoft’s Windows operating systems. This directory contains all the information and settings used by all the hardware and software installed in the system. In short, the registry is what that stores all the important information about the computer’s operating system and other software and hardware.
Registry Hive
A registry hive is a group of keys, sub keys and values in the registry that has a set of supporting files storing data. While Registry Keys are similar to folders that can contain many other subfolders, Registry Values are the data stored inside those keys.The hives are abbreviated to a three or four letter name starting with “HK” like HKCU or HKLM. There are five major types of them, each having its individual functionality.


HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT (HKCR)HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
also referred to as HKCR stores information about registered applications such as file associations. The information that is stored here makes sure that the correct program opens when you open a file by using Windows Explorer.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER (HKCU)HKEY_CURRENT_USER (HKCU)
also referred to as HKCU stores settings and info that are specific to the currently logged-in user of the system. The user’s folders, screen colors, and Control Panel settings are stored here and the key is a link to the sub key of HKEY_USERS.HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE (HKLM)HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE (HKLM)
also referred to as HKLM stores settings and info that are common to all users of the computer. It stores information particular to the computer for any user.


HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG (HKCC)HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG also referred to as HKCC stores information gathered at runtime and the hardware profile generated by the local computer at system startup.HKEY_USERS (HKU)HKEY_USERS also referred to as HKU stores actively loaded user profiles on the computer and contains the key HKCU as its sub key.Registry EditingRegistry can be edited by using the Windows default registry editor, however incorrect editing may lead to the improper functioning of the system. To run registry editor, type regedit in the Run dialog.Thank you all

What is Recycler Folder and How to remove it

If you have used Windows for quite some time now then you must have seen this folder called RECYCLER. But many people don’t know what this folder is and what is it doing in the drive?What is Recycler folder?

The Recycler folder is used only on NTFS partitions and is referred to as a location where all the deleted files go after they have been deleted by the user. Now you may be wondering if it contains the deleted files then why we have the Recycle Bin.When a file is deleted it goes to the Recycle Bin but when the Recycle Bin is emptied, the files are stored in this Recycler folder. This is the reason why we can still restore the deleted data in the Windows.

Difference between Recycle Bin and Recycler

Recycle Bin stores the file that are deleted from the computer until it is emptied completely whereas the Recycler folder contains a Recycle Bin for each user that logs on to the computer.

Recycled Folder

This is something different than the Recycler folder as Recycled is same as Recycle Bin. That is both Recycled and Recycle Bin are just two different names for the same memory location.

How to delete Recycler

FolderRecycler is a read only folder and that is why it gave error if you tried to delete it. To view the folder, go to Tools -> Folder Options -> View tab and uncheck the option of Hide Protected operating System Files.Now just right click on the folder, go to Properties and unselect the option of Read Only. Now it can be deleted.

Recycler Virus

There has been identified a virus with the same name that is Recycler.exe which should not be confused with the Recycler folder.

Repair Bad Sectors on Hard Disk with HDD Regenerat

I have mentioned earlier about removing the bad sectors from the disk but recently one of our readers named Rob, told me about a tool that can repair the bad sectors easily and reliably.The tool is called HDD Regenerator and the tool is able to detect physical bad sectors on a hard disk drive surface. It can also repair the physical bad sectors (magnetic errors).Advantages:1. The tool can work on any file system like FAT or NTFS.2. Bootable regenerating flash can be created from the program and used to automatically start regenerating process.3. Bootable regenerating CD allows starting regenerating process under DOS automatically.The tool has been tested successfully on many computers and yes the data is unaffected. Download Link : http://www.abstradrome.com/hdd.html

How to Check Memory Used by Web Pages

There are lots of web browsers in the world like Firefox, Chrome and IE and each of them consumes different memory for opening the same web page.Firefox is a heavy web browser that takes lot of memory to open a page but the add-ons it support really make it worthwhile. But if you wish to know how much memory is consumed in opening a web page then what you need is Google Chrome.Chrome has a built in Task Manager that can show you how much memory is being consumed in opening a web page. All you need to do is access the Task Manager either by right clicking on the chrome on taskbar or by pressing Shift + Esc when Chrome is maximized.A window like the one above will open that will show you the memory requirements by the browser however if you want to see more details then click the link “Stats for nerds”.If you know any other method then share it here.

Anti-virus from Microsoft ?

Microsoft Security Essentials provides real-time protection for your home PC that guards against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software.download from herehttp://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/default.aspx

‘You may be a victim of software counterfeiting"

Microsoft has started bugging the users of non genuine copies of Windows. If you are also running a non genuine or pirated copy of Windows then there is a full chance of you getting this notification one day or the other.The problem was reported by one of our members that when she updated her copy of Windows with Windows Update then her system started showing this notification that reads “You may be a victim of software counterfeiting” and “This copy of windows does not pass genuine Windows validation”.These notifications start coming back again after some time and do not feel good. Though I never encourage piracy but here is how you can remove this problem:1. Before doing anything serious try restoring your system. If the problem is occurring after the Windows Update then System Restore will surely help.2. But if it does not then do try this, launch Windows Task Manager.3. Locate the process “wgatray.exe” and end it.4. Log in into the Safe Mode and delete the file WgaTray.exe from c:\Windows\System325. Also delete the WgaTray.exe from c:\Windows\System32\dllcache6. Type regedit in Run to open Registry Editor, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Notify key.7. Delete the folder WgaLogon and all of its contents.8. Restart the PC normally.

Update:Download this WGA remover tool called RemoveWGA.exe, just download it and run.Link : hxxp: // download11.com / get / RemoveWGA.exereplace xx with tt, also remove the spaces in the given URL

Send Encrypted Secure Mails to Friends

If you are being spied upon and also if you are working on a shared computer and are unable to send some important private message to a friend then here is a way to send those secure messages to your friends through e-mails online.The following is a way through which you also don’t need to either install software or sign up somewhere. Adding to the advantages is that, this service is free.Lockbin is a great way of sending a private email message in an encrypted way. Lockbin is a free service for sending private email messages. It can be easily used to send confidential information like credit card information.What you have to do is just complete the 5 steps listed below and the information will be sent in a secure manner:1. Agree to usage agreement2. Enter security code3. Type your personal message4. Type in a secret word5. Enter your and friend’s name and email address.The info will not be sent to your friend’s e-mail address rather he will receive a message saying that “you have received a secret message” and he just have to type in the same secret word as entered by you. (So don’t forget to tell him the same secret word)When the encrypted message is received, it is destroyed from Lockbin’s database, and decrypted in the recipient’s browser, provided that they entered the Secret Word correctly.At least one thing is for sure, this service is safer than sending sensitive data directly through email.check: https://lockbin.com/

Copy or Hide a File inside an Image

Have a secret file and want to hide it on your system from other users? Here is a simple but cool trick that will enable you to hide a file in an image. The trick is so cool that you won’t be able to find out if the image is hiding a file behind it or not.The jpeg image will not only look like usual image file but also work like one. The image will not only hide the document but also open in the Picture Viewer as usual. Great isn’t it?Steps to hide files behind an Image:1. Create a new folder (I created in drive C: named “a”).2. Place all the documents/files in it that you want to hide (I stored z.txt in it).3. Copy any image of yours in it (I stored x.jpg in it).4. Make a rar archive of all the files that you need to hide (I created one named z.rar).5. Now open cmd (Start->Run->cmd)6. Go to the folder’s location by typing cd location like for me it was cd C:\a7. Now just type the following command with name that corresponds to your filecopy /b x.jpg + z.rar x.jpg

How to enable Remote Desktop remotely

In a case you want to remote access a Windows XP professional workstation and the computer Remote Desktop is not enabled, or no one over there to help you to enable it, you may have an option to enable Remote Desktop remotely by using regedit.

To enabling Remote Desktop using regedit, follow these steps:

1. Run REGEDIT from Start>Run
2. Click on File, then select Connect Network Registry
3.Type the remote computer IP or host name in the Enter the object name to select and the click OK.

4. If you don't have permission to access the remote computer, the logon screen will show up. Type the username and password for the remote computer. Then click OK.

5. Now, the remote computer is listed in the Registry Editor

6. Browse to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server, in the right panel, seelct fDenyTSConnection (REG_DWORD). Change the value data from 1 (Remote Desktop disabled) to 0 (Remote Desktop enabled).

7. Close the regeidt.

Steps to Remove csrcs.exe or csrsc.exe Virus

This was the error message faced by one of our readers that when he boots the PC up, the CSRCS.exe error message comes up on the screen.csrsc.exe is a process which is registered as W32.Spybot.CF Virus. DO NOT confuse it with csrss.exe which is an important file used by Windows. The attackers of this virus can access our computer and gain access to some important data remotely.Steps to remove this virus:1. Scan the system with a good and updated Anti Virus.2. Open Task Manager, locate this exe (csrcs.exe or csrsc.exe but not csrss.exe), and kill the process.3. Now type msconfig in the Run box, and then go to startup tab.4. Locate this exe file, if any, and then remove it from there as well.5. Now search the file in the C: drive.6. Permanently delete the file (csrcs.exe or csrsc.exe only) from the computer.7. Reboot the PC for changes to take place.UPDATEAfter doing the above steps, you need to clean the registry as well.Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\ On the right side, there is a key named “Shell”, it may be having a value “explorer.exe csrcs.exe”. Just modify it to delete the csrcs.exe from it (not explorer.exe). Restart the computer The virus should have gone.

Steps to Remove Win32:Rootkit-gen[Rtk] Virus

Rootkit-gen[Rtk], another Virus, another addition in the list and another solution to remove it. Faced by some of our readers, this was an irritating problem that their PC was infected by this virus.Symptoms of the problem:• Win32:Rootkit-gen[Rtk] virus infection notice.• Resides in ur0.com file which happens to be a virus itself.• Also resides in System Volume Information folder.• May also prevent double click opening of a drive.Solution: Steps to remove ur0.com virus• Run Task Manager, delete the ur0.com process, if any.• Run msconfig in the Run box and remove the virus file from startup list, if any.• Reboot into safe mode, search the ur0.com file, and remember to include hidden files option as well.• Permanently delete the files found.Steps to remove Win32:Rootkit-gen[Rtk] Virus• The only reason why this virus infects the PC again is that, it has been saved in the System Restore files.• So turn off the System Restore now (Right click on My Computer-> Properties-> System Restore tab-> click on Turn off System Restore on all drives).• Reboot the PC to let the restore files to get deleted.• Now just turn on the system restore.The virus has been removed!!

Protect your files and folders

Windows has no functionality to prevent a file from getting renamed or deleted by default, however there are also very less tools that can really do that.If in any case you want to disable file renaming and also disable it from getting deleted accidentally or deliberately, then here is a tool that can allow you to prevent file renaming and can also lock a file so that it can not be deleted.M File Anti-copy ( An application ) does not only disable a file from getting copied or moved but also protect file from getting renamed or deleted.What you need to do is just install this software and click on “Enable or Disable Protection” button and add the files you want to Anti- Rename or Anti- Delete.The software also provides password protection and all this is completely free.Link to Download : http://danlod.ulmb.com/en/m%20file%20anti-copy%204.0.html

Update Windows Defender Definitions Offline Manual

Windows Defender is a really cool Anti-Spyware from Microsoft that can prevent a suspicious file from making any changes in the computer.However for proper safety it needs to be updated regularly but for the people who do not have an internet connection or want to save the limited internet bandwidth, here are the steps to update the definitions manually and offline.Steps:1. Following is the location where Windows Defender Definition updates are stored.C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows Defender2. So just enable the Show Hidden option to view the hidden folders and navigate to above location and copy the entire folder named “Definition Updates”.3. You need to replace this folder in another computer to update the definitions but do not forget to kill the Windows Defender process before replacing else you may not be able to replace it.So if you are giving the definition updates to a friend or thinking to format the computer, this will surely save your time and bandwidth

Popular Software Update Checker for Windows

We have a lot of software installed in our system, don’t we? Updating them for the newest of the updates available one by one is very tedious task.Here are two popular software updater for you which will do the work automatically. Software Update checker scans all the software installed in our system and generates a list of all the available updates for our software.1. http://www.apphit.com/software_update_checker/Apphit is a good and free software update checker tool that first checks the version of the software installed in the system and compares them with the latest available on net. You can download the latest versions from there after checking the versions available2. http://www.filehippo.com/updatechecker/The update checker from Filehippo is also a great and free software update checking tool.Thus there is no reason why we should not have a software checker installed in our system.

Delete Virus from USB Pen Drive automatically

USB Drives are the primary cause of spread of viruses. There are so many viruses that use Pen Drive as a media to infect other computers.It is also very difficult to safeguard our self from each of them as the chances of getting infected by a virus is always there; no matter you know how to deal with them. So to lower the chances further there is a tool called iKill.iKill can prevent the spread of Viruses from Pen Drives and deletes the autorun.inf file as well as the viruses stored in the drive automatically. It scans the removable drives and deletes the autorun and virus files on its own.If Auto Protect is enabled, it will automatically delete the harmful files present on the drive but if it isn’t enabled then it will ask the user what to do.It is a freeware and very small in size. The tool is surely capable of saving us from infections stored in the Pen Drives.download link:http://www.softpedia.com/get/Antivirus/iKill.shtml

Error 1606: Could not access network location 0\

The error was faced by one of our readers who was irritated with the problem that whenever he tried to install or uninstall any program there comes an error message reading “Error 1606:Could not access network location 0\”
Well the fix is not that difficult but requires some Registry Tweaking so it would be better if you have a backup of your registry, but if you are confident enough then you can do it without that as well.
Steps:
1. Type regedit in the Run box to open the registry editor.
2. Now navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER -> Software -> Microsoft -> Windows -> Current Version -> Explorer -> User Shell Folders
3. Locate the key named “Recent” in the right side and delete it by right clicking on it.
4. Windows may require a restart.