Computer Downloads: Caveat Emptor

Computer Care: Even safe downloading sites should be approached with caution

By Arthur Glazerglazer.tech@gmail.com

POSTED: February 9, 2013 1:00 a.m.

	There are good places to go on the Internet for downloads and there are not-so-good places. Often when you think you are navigating to a certain website, you end up somewhere else, possibly on a rogue site. You have been redirected. This redirection can be initiated from malware that has infiltrated your system or it can be that you were duped into clicking an online link that was similar to your destination. The similarity could be in the site spelling or it could be a different suffix. You may have wanted a .com and ended up at a .biz instead. Alternatively, you may have clicked on an ad in your search results, rather than on a bona fide hit. I never thought too much about being redirected. Hey, I am careful. No, not me. I always watch what I click on. Alas, even your local tech writer was taken in by a recent installation of AVG. After clicking on "Decline" various times during the installation of the anti-virus program, I assumed I'd dodged the optional toolbars offered by AVG. Most of those attach themselves to Internet Explorer and since I use Google's Chrome, I wasn't immediately aware they were in fact clandestinely installed, without my knowledge (or permission). It was only after careful scrutiny, when I ran the free utility AdwCleaner, that I realized the registry had been altered and there were components added to my system that I neither requested nor desired. AdwCleaner is a good utility, but it, like Combofix, another good free malware cleaner, requires interaction on the part of the user. If you are not comfortable making decisions about what should or should not be deleted, get outside help from a tech-savvy friend or perhaps find different utilities to clean your system. Although technically I wasn't redirected to another site, I was still redirected to install a rogue application. Only recently have I been made aware of similar tactics on a site I've sent you, my readers to, many times in the past. Download.com, the large computer information site run by CNET, has fallen to letting malware attach itself to some of its downloads. It was usually safer to go to an author's site and download an application from its origin, but now they refer you to websites that are clearinghouses for downloadable programs and allow garbage to be piggy-backed onto their apps, for a price. Program authors and websites subsidize their (free) offerings by allowing these installers to be attached to their programs. They earn a fee each time one is downloaded. I've said this before, but allow me to reiterate: There are no free programs. In the past, I have encouraged my clients and readers to use download.com. Now all I can say is, caveat emptor. You are on your own guys. Be careful out there. MajorGeeks.com, is another site that offers downloads and computing advice. BleepingCompter.com is good for help, but has no programs. Be ever-vigilant while installing anything. Run a scan daily, and always after you install something to your computer. A virus checker looks mostly for viruses. It's best to (carefully) install one or more anti-malware utilities as well. You can only have one anti-virus app installed. More is not better in this case. You can however, use multiple anti-malware programs. Many work well in conjunction with one another since they either work differently or seek out different types of malware. By definition, malware is simply bad software. This encompasses adware, spyware, pop-ups, toolbars, hijackers, keyloggers, Trojans or anything else that you didn't ask to be put on your system. Aside from the apps I mentioned above, I recommend Malwarebytes (see malwarebytes.org). Even the free version is great, but for a few bucks, the paid version has a scheduler and is well worth the small investment. This, by the way, is a clean installation. They only try to get you to try the Pro version, but you can decline it. Nothing else is added. SuperAntiSpyware, with its superhero name, is a also good program. Again, they offer free and paid versions. Just remember, sometimes certain utilities ask you how you want to respond to an issue. If you are unsure, leave it alone. A change to the Windows registry cannot be undone. If you don't know what you are doing, my best advice is to refer to a professional. We techs have fixed more computers that users have attempted to repair on their own. Whether you click a link, install an application or sign up for a newsletter or sweepstakes, you are susceptible to malware installation on your computer. Watch what you agree to and what boxes are checked before you click, "Next." Then run a few scans just for good measure. Run updated, full scans daily for viruses and malware. Remember, if you only have a virus checker, download a good malware utility or two. Be careful even downloading it. Nothing is sacred anymore. I hate to say you can't trust anyone anymore — but you can't. Arthur Glazer is a freelance writer and computer technician in Gainesville. His column appears biweekly on the Business page and on gainesvilletimes.com.

The Cost of Free Programs

Computer Care: Beware the costs of free programs

By Arthur Glazer
arthur@glazerthepctech.com

POSTED Aug. 14, 2009 11:30 p.m.

Everyone likes a bargain. There are two-for-one beers, free samples, free parking, free admission, free Wi-Fi and free downloads.

All are great except for the last one. Free downloads are not always free. Well, they may be free, but there is still a price to pay.

Sure, some free downloads make you eventually pay for the program, but that’s not where I’m going. I’ve mentioned this in the past, but it’s worth saying again: A free program is not only free of cost, but free of support as well.

You are on your own when you download a free program from the Internet. Don’t expect help from the site you got it from or from those who wrote the program. Somewhere in all of those OK and Next buttons you initially click is an agreement stating that fact.

You use the program at your own risk. Should something go wrong, it’s on you. You need to know what you are using, how to use it and what it does. This especially holds true with registry tools. In just a couple of wrong mouse clicks, you could turn an $800 laptop into an expensive doorstop.

The first thing to do is make sure your system is healthy. If it’s already on the edge and you push it, there will be consequences.

When you install something on your system — anything — make sure nothing else is running. That means not just closing open windows, but also checking the taskbar. Look over by the clock and close down any programs you don’t need. Everyone has some utilities running there. Right-click and exit them. This is especially true of anti-virus programs.

When you later reboot, they will come back, so don’t worry about restarting them. The less you have running during an installation, the less of a chance you have of something going wrong.

It’s always good practice to create a system restore point prior to installing anything, should something go awry. It will give you a point to return to in case of trouble, kind of like Mr. Peabody’s Way-Back Machine. Some applications will create one for you automatically or at least ask you if you want to create one, but many will not.

From your Start menu in XP, click Accessories, then System Tools and System Restore. Choose to create a restore point. If you prefer to have it always on your start menu, right-click on it and choose: pin to start menu. It will then reside above the line on the left side of the menu.

In Vista, look in Control Panel under Classic view for Backup and Restore Center. In the left column, click on: Create a System Restore Point.

Your anti-virus and anti-malware utilities should have been running when you downloaded those programs you’re about to install. That is when anything malicious would get caught. There are a ton of Trojan horses circulating the Internet and if you are not careful and diligent, one or more will find its way to your computer.

Use reputable Web sites for downloads. Don’t click on every link that flashes "Free" on your screen. If you use online forums to read about others’ experiences with programs, you’ll learn plenty. Sites like download.com allow you to read not only the editor’s comments about programs, but you can see other user’s comments as well. This may help you decide if a program is worthwhile.

Many programs are written by the small guy, as opposed to corporate giants. Often the application written by the guy living in his parents’ basement is the best out there. Should you decide to pay the affordable $24 fee he’ll ask for, you’ll then get all the support you need.

I once had a guy e-mail me from Finland within hours of my query for help. It was well worth the small price I paid for his program.

Keep in mind, I would never recommend a program to you without having first tried it myself. I’ve had readers write, telling me that a program I wrote about was garbage and how could I?

Not every utility will function perfectly on every system. It just doesn’t work that way. Unfortunately we don’t live in a perfect world.

In some cases, as I mentioned, if the computer is already on the edge, all it may take is hitting the Enter key for an error to occur. In others, it may take running a program. But it’s not my fault, whatever the case. So please, don’t kill the messenger.

If you install a lot of programs, remember to delete them if you don’t use them. Why clutter up your hard drive? Then, since you are deleting lots of programs, it’s a good idea to run your defrag utility every now and then. There is always some maintenance involved with computing.

Just keep in mind there are many enticing, free programs on the Internet. Use them wisely and cautiously.

Arthur Glazer is a freelance writer and computer technician in Gainesville. His column appears biweekly. Arthur welcomes your computer questions and ideas for future columns.

Free Downloads

Computer care: Certain free downloads help your computer

By Arthur Glazer
arthur@glazerthepctech.com

POSTED Jan. 16, 2009 11:37 p.m.

Computers are like cars in that there is certain maintenance that is needed on a regular basis.

With cars, you know that you need to change the oil and rotate the tires. With computers, some people don’t have a clue what to do to maintain them.

So what I offer here is a list of my 10 favorite free downloadable programs to help you keep your computer in optimum shape. They are not time or feature-limited teaser versions, but the full-blown real thing.

Let’s begin with Firefox, which is the only one on the list that’s not a utility, but a Web browser. It’s better than Internet Explorer; it is highly customizable and extremely secure. There is a Google bar built in and the tabs can be made to suit you. When you open it, it asks if you want to resume your last session, which can come in handy. Find it at mozilla.com.

You can keep Internet Explorer on your system, but you’ll be asked which you want to be your default browser.

Next is AVG Anti-Virus, the free version. For a free tool, it does plenty. You can set a scheduled scan and get updates regularly. Should you decide you want more, they offer a paid version with more bells and whistles. But the free one will protect you. Go to free.avg.com to download it. Follow the prompts to install it and you’ll have protection in a few minutes.

Advanced System Care, which used to be Advanced Windows Care, has been greatly upgraded with the new version. It does a little bit of everything, from keeping your registry in shape to deleting junk files. Go to iobit.com and click the products link.

While you’re on the Iobit site, download Smart Defrag, No. 4 on my list. It’s a good alternative to the slow and inefficient Windows defragmentation tool. Again, it’s at iobit.com. A defragmented drive will speed up your system and should be run at least monthly.

Glary Utilities, No. 5, is a great all-around utility with many tools incorporated into it. It will fix broken shortcuts, encrypt files, optimize memory and manage your startup programs, among other things. They also offer a paid version, so be sure you download the correct one. Find it at glaryutilities.com.

Revo Uninstaller, No. 6, does a better job at deleting unwanted programs than the anemic tool Windows offers. Unlike Windows, it will get rid of all fragments of a program that gets left behind upon deletion, including in the registry. It includes a handful of other built-in utilities. There is a startup manager, a file cleaner, and an evidence remover that will erase your tracks from online usage. Download it from revouninstaller.com.

Another cleaner is CCleaner, which is available at ccleaner.com. It’s my No. 7. It attaches itself to your recycle bin upon installation. With a right-click, you can cleanse your system of temporary files, browser history, remove cookies (and keep the one you want), while it empties the trash.

RoboForm, No. 8, is a password tool. It also fills out Web forms for you. Once you generate a password list and give it your vital information (which can itself be password-protected), it will automatically fill in a login screen for you and gain entrance to a Web site. All you need to do is go to a site; it does the rest. The free version will allow up to 10 sites, but after that you’ll need to purchase it. Find it at roboform.com.

Ashampoo will give you a CD/DVD burner for free, with registration, which is not a bad deal. If you have no way to burn a disc, download No. 9 at download.com and do a search for it. Since XP doesn’t include a burner, this is a great download. If you go to the Ashampoo site, you’ll only find the paid versions.

This brings us to No. 10 on my list, which, by the way, is not in any particular order. A great way to keep malware off of your computer is by installing Comodo’s BO Clean, available along with many other free tools at comodo.com. I use it in conjunction with Malwarebytes Rogue Remover, which will delete any malware, should it find a way into your system. It’s a free download at malwarebytes.com. (Make those 10a and 10b.)

Most, if not all of these files can also be found at either download.com or majorgeeks.com. Browse either site and you may never buy a retail software version again.

Arthur Glazer is a freelance writer and computer technician in Gainesville. His column appears biweekly. Arthur welcomes your computer questions and ideas for future columns.