Tech Maniac: 2011

Weather you use computer, tablet or any other device using any operating system, there is a strong possibility that somebody has sent you email or text message in order to get you to turn over your personal information. Below I have listed some ways to make sure that you don't become a victim of such scams.

1) Always double check the url of your banking site before you login. Also look to the left in the address bar to verify that the site is legit.

If your bank ever happen to send you a link in an email or text message, make sure not to click on that link and always type the url manually.

2) There are also other services which you can use to verify the legitimacy of the link.

Google Safe Browsing:- Go to http://google.com/safebrowsing/diagnostic?site=site name or ip address
hp Host:- Go to http://hosts-file.net/ and search for the site you are interested in.
Safe Web from Symantec:- http://safeweb.norton.com/
http://unmaskparasites.com/

3) Most of all the suites come with link scanners and other add-ons to check for the safety of the links. If you do not have a suite then you can use AVG LinkScanner for windows or mac.

4) For android users there are number of apps which come for free which provide security.

Lookout Security & Antivirus
Anti-Virus Free from AVG

There are many reasons for a computer to slow down over time.

NOTE:- Before attempting anything, it is recommended to take backup first. Here is how you can Restore Windows Registry.

1) Registry:- Windows' OS collects settings, instructions, and mistakes and many more things, which are stored in registry files. This registry files grows more and more over time, which slows down your computer drastically. Cleaning it out every so often is a good idea. The programs you can use to clean up these registry files are Advanced System Care, CCleaner, Registry Meachanic, Tuneup Utilities.

2) Too many programs running in background:- Every program running on your PC slows it down, and you'll find that there are many programs, which load automatically when your PC boots. To see a list of your auto loading programs, select Start, Run, type msconfig, press Enter, and click Startup. Or you can click Win+R, type msconfig, press Enter, and Click Startup. If a program needs to be running at all times (e.g. firewall, antivirus), leave it checked; otherwise, uncheck it. You can always open any program you need manually.

3) Uninstall any unused programs:- You can use windows inbuilt feature to uninstall a program, but I would recommend Revo Uninstaller. It comes with the price tag of $40.00 USD, but trust me it is well worth it.

4) Spyware:- Besides violating your privacy, these activity-monitoring programs can also slow down your PC. I would recommend Ad-Aware Free Internet Security to efficiently remove spyware from your system.

5) Cluttered Desktop:- Clean up your desktop every so often. Do not keep many folders, files and program shortcuts on your desktop. In my honest opinion a desktop should have only recycle bin on it.

6) Browsers:- There are many browsers out there other than Internet Explorer, which comes by default with your PC. I would recommend Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.

You can also do following things to speed up your PC.

1) Partition your hard drive:- In my opinion you should not store your personal data on your C: drive as this drive is also used by Windows OS and any running program. Partition your hard according to your needs and always store data on different partition than C: drive. Make sure you keep enough space for C: drive, as you will be installing more programs later on that drive.

2) Defragment your hard drive every so often. You can use the inbuilt feature of windows to do that, but I would recommend Smart Defrag.

3) Increase the Number of CPU Cores used for boot up. You can do this by going to Start, Run, Type msconfig, Boot, Advanced Options, Check Number of Processors and Select the number you want.

4) You can also increase the amount of your PC’s virtual memory.

In Windows 7:-

1) Open System by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Maintenance, and then clicking System.

2) In the left pane, click Advanced system settings. Administrator permission required If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

3) On the Advanced tab, under Performance, click Settings.

4) Click the Advanced tab, and then, under Virtual memory, click Change.

5) Clear the Automatically manage paging file size for all drives check box.

6) Under Drive [Volume Label], click the drive that contains the paging file you want to change.

7) Click Custom size, type a new size in megabytes in the Initial size (MB) or Maximum size (MB) box, click Set, and then click OK.

In Windows Vista:-

1) Click Start button Picture of the Start button

2) Click Control Panel

3) Choose System and Maintenance and then click System.

4) In the left pane, click Advanced system settings.

5) On the Advanced tab, under Performance, click Settings.

6) Click the Advanced tab, and then, under Virtual memory, choose Change.

7) Click Custom to change the Initial size (MB) and Maximum size.

In Windows XP:-

1) Click Start, and then click Control Panel.

2) Click Performance and Maintenance, and then click System.

3) On the Advanced tab, under Performance, click Settings.

4) On the Advanced tab, under Virtual memory, click Change.

5) Under Drive [Volume Label], click the drive that contains the paging file that you want to change.

6) Under Paging file size for selected drive, click to Custom size check box. You can enter the amount of memory you would like to reserve for Virtual memory by entering the initial and maximum size.

7) Click Set

8) When you are prompted to restart the computer, click Yes.

Special Note: You should choose the same amount for the initial size and maximum size. This will Stop your CPU from constantly changing the paging file.