Beware Malware on Facebook

Computer Care: Beware of malware, other threats hiding in Facebook


By Arthur Glazer
arthur@glazerthepctech.com
POSTED: January 22, 2011 12:30 a.m.


Facebook may be a nice place to keep up with your friends online, but lately I've been wary of a couple of things concerning its security.

Have you noticed its availability to connect to other websites? All of a sudden I find the ubiquitous blue "F" icon wherever I go on the Internet.

Other web sites, forums and blogs are offering for you to use your Facebook credentials to log on to their sites. Sure, it's easier. You don't have to type in your e-mail address or make up yet another password, but is it safe? The short answer would be no.

They have since reversed the ruling, but Facebook officials recently said they were going to sell our names, addresses and phone numbers to their vendors. That would have meant whoever advertises on the site would be privy to your private information. Sure, under pressure, they quickly reversed it. But who knows what they will do next week or next month? I don't trust them.

Supposedly we would have ability to opt out, but it was up to us to find the link to disable that option.

I have since gone to my Facebook settings page and changed everything to make sure that only those I want to see my information will be able to. Go to yours by clicking on the "Account" link on the top right of the page and then click "Privacy Settings," then "Customize."

Also check your "Account Settings " at the same spot while you're there. Scrutinize the way your account is set up. Your privacy may depend on it.

Facebook is a business, bottom line and our information is a gold mine to them.

Not only is Facebook not to be trusted with our information, but it is also a huge source of malware.

The Internet security firm BitDefender, claims that social media sites are the largest source of malware online, especially on mobile devices. With Facebook being the most traveled social site, and more users logging on via cell phone, malware is spreading rapidly.

As a technician, most of my jobs in the past few months have been malware-related. As computer users and Internet traversers, you need to tread cautiously if you don't want to get infected.

Facebook is inundated with links and pop-ups to fake wallpapers and phony applications for the site. Some claim to allow you to see who has viewed your profile or who has "unfriended" you. Others offer nonexistent "dislike" buttons. These are nothing other than sources of malware.

Also beware of bogus surveys and links to FB apps such as Farmville giving away free add-ons to the games. By clicking on them, not only will you not get what you expect, but you may be giving away access to your sensitive information.

If apps such as those were available, Facebook would offer them to us.

Cybercriminals are financially motivated. They are there not only to send spam and spread malware, but also to steal your identities.

Sophos, another maker of online security products, says cybercriminals will be more prevalent in 2011 and that more threats should be expected on Windows 7 and iPad platforms.

They claim that over 50,000 Web pages hosting various forms of malware are discovered daily — every day!

The most common ones and the one I see most often are fake anti-virus or anti-malware programs. What they are in reality is nothing other than sources of malware. Click on them and you open up your computer for them to access or just spread the infection throughout your system and to those in your address book.

Beware of pop-ups from programs not installed that warn you of infections. If you didn't run a scan with an app, it can't advise you, plain and simple.

Sophos offers a free social media toolkit for your social security, but you do need to register with them to get it. Find it here. There is some helpful information in it.

Be careful what you click on and think twice before you do. Even an e-mail saying someone has commented on a photo of yours or tagged you in one of theirs may be bogus. Also beware of e-mails claiming that someone has posted something on your wall. Find them on FB instead of going there from that e-mail. They may not be legitimate.

Even on the Facebook site, remain vigilant. Once you click that "Allow" button you could be opening up the floodgates. Any requests for permission should be denied.

Be aware of links that take you to pages where you see an "Allow" button to access your profile. If you have apps installed that you don't trust, hit the "Remove" button next to them, to be sure.

Facebook is a virtual street in the virtual city of Internet. It can be a dark alley if you allow it.

As far as allowing it to be your universal Internet log-on, I wouldn't.

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 Apps for your computer

Computer Care: Free apps are nice, but download them with care

By Arthur Glazer
arthur@glazerthepctech.com
POSTED: January 8, 2011 12:30 a.m.


It came to me the other day. The holidays are over, and I didn't get anything for you. So let's make up for it and start the new year with some good free applications for your computer. It's January and you don't have any money left anyway.

Some of these you may have heard of and may have installed, while others are nice, hard-to-find or didn't know-they-existed free applications. I will let you Google the apps for location, since many URLs can be quite lengthy.

If you don't feel like Googling each one, try PCWorld.com, cnet.com or download.com for these and lots of others. Just be sure to check to see if the app you want is indeed freeware and not shareware or a pay version.

The main difference between free and paid versions is no support and no schedulers.

Most will work in XP, Vista and Windows 7 but it's always a good idea to check prior to installation.

Advanced System Care, the free version is one of my favorites so let's start with it. It is a Swiss Army Knife utility in that it cleans, optimizes and fixes. One of its tools fixes the Windows registry. There is also a Pro version with more bells and whistles.

Use caution with many of the other registry utilities on the Internet. Some are overly aggressive and you can get yourself into trouble messing with the registry. There is no "undo" button. Once you delete a value, it is gone, so be certain you don't need it.

IObit Security 360 checks your system for all types of malware and stays resident while you work.

Ccleaner and the new CC Enhancer work with your Recycle Bin to reduce clutter.

Chrome and Firefox are browsers, like Internet Explorer, but faster. You can have multiple browsers on your computer. If one stops working you have a backup. It's like having two cars in your garage. They will both get to the interstate.

Well, Internet Explorer and Chrome or Firefox are like a Ford and a Chevy or a Honda — they will each get you to the Internet. Only issue is one wants to be in charge. You need to choose a default browser, but it doesn't mean you have to only use it. Use them all. You can change defaults at any time.

AVG, Avast and Avira are anti-virus applications and all offer solid free versions. Pick one. Unlike other programs, you can only have one AV program on a system.

OpenOffice is a great free alternative to Office. It is a suite of similar-type programs.

Download of the Day is a website, not a program. You sign up for a daily e-mail and they send a link to a different free program, utility, game or screensaver each day.

Phrase Express is perhaps my favorite utility. It saves a phrase, sentence or paragraph that you type with one keystroke. Very cool.

RoboForm is the best password manager on the market. Find the free version that works with a smaller list. DriveImage XML is a free Ghost-like app that images your disk or partition.

BootSafe gets you quickly into Safe Mode. Eusing Free Internet Window Washer does just that. SuperAntiSpyware, the free version, is also just what it says.

IMG Burn and Image Burn for ISO and similar file writing to CD/DVD. Belarc Advisor tells you all that is installed on your system, with keys. Malwarebytes is a superb free anti-malware utility.

I need to add a caution about installing these. Often they sneak in other apps. Look at every checked box before you click "Next" or "OK." Many will add a toolbar to your browser; change your search engine or home page or add a whole new program.

Know what you are getting. Some apps have partial functionality. Others are full-blown programs but will limit use by time. Some fix only certain issues. Some look like Windows with the Microsoft-like logos to make you believe it is legit, but they are not.

A pop-up advising you of errors before you scanned for any is bogus.

Never click on a blind link. I've repaired countless computers with severe malware infections from clients attempting to download free programs. The so-called programs are in fact infectious malware. They are disguised as utilities and spread infection once you click on them, so beware.

Just because a website or e-mail says a download is free, doesn't necessarily mean it is a free program. (Most downloads are free.) They make you pay once you try to use it. As always, caveat emptor, although which technically is buyer beware, but you get the idea.

Once you download and install what you want, save it to an outside source. You may need it again if your system crashes or you change computers. Put those downloads on an external hard drive, flash drive or burn them to CD or DVD.

Remember what they are, where you put them — and who gave them to you.

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.

Homage to Technology

Computer Care: Thanks for technology, which makes our lives better


By Arthur Glazer
arthur@glazerthepctech.com


POSTED: December 11, 2010 1:00 a.m.

As the first decade of the new millennium draws to a close, I reflect back on all of the good things I have: health, happiness and my family top the list. But there is more. Without technology, I would not be happy.

I am grateful to be living at a time when technology abounds; when one innovation is topped by the next. Most likely those who lived in Edison's time felt the same way. Electricity was new to the world. There was the telephone and the light bulb. It must have been quite an exciting time to be alive, as it is today.

Twenty years ago, no one had a cell phone and all but a few had a personal computer. What will the next 20 years bring? I often wonder.

So I give thanks to technology and to those who were inspired to create the devices we live with and couldn't live without.

Einstein once said that imagination was more important than knowledge. Without the imagination of the following people, where would we be today?

Charles Babbage was a British mathematician who in 1856 came up the concept of programmable machines. Then 80 years later, along came another Brit, Charles Turing, who built a computer-like device that cracked German codes in World War II.

It was John Eckert and John Mauchly who built E.N.I.A.C., the original computer in 1946. It filled a huge room and took a crew to run it. It was the first, and the first to become obsolete. After 10 years, there was a better mousetrap. Thanks guys.

This brings us to the era of the personal computer. It was Ed Roberts who designed the Altair 8800 in 1975. It sold for a mere $400 and came in kit form. They were not the kits of today. You had to solder the motherboard yourself. You got a box of diodes, capacitors and transistors with a sheet of instructions. Thanks, Ed.

I also feel thanks are due to Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniac at Apple for coming up with the Graphical User Interface that began with the Mac in 1976, and is used by most computers today.

In 1975, the partnership of Bill Gates and Paul Allen created Microsoft and Windows. I thank Microsoft for coming out with Windows, especially Version 7. The world needed something to replace its predecessor Vista, in a bad way.

Then came alternative operating systems.

It was Linus Tovalds, a Finnish graduate student who came up with a thesis of Linux, a portable operating system in 1990. It is now an open-source (free) alternative to Windows or Mac the world over. There are dozens of distros or distributions, as they are called.

This brings me to Vic Hayes, the father of wi-fi. Without him, even laptops would still be tethered to a cable. Thanks, Vic.

What a bunch of brainiacs these guys were and are.

Alternative browsers like Firefox, Safari, Opera, and then Chrome came about. We were no longer forced to use Internet Explorer.

Google appeared. I love Google. I give thanks for the opportunity to look up anything, at any time and get as many answers as I want.

Everything seemed to happen quickly after that. Windows evolved. Wireless was omnipresent. Everyone had a Web page, then a blog. They instant-messaged. They texted. They Twittered. They posted comments to their profile.

I am not grateful for Facebook. Frankly, I could live without it. It's nice, but really, I don't need it.

What I am grateful for is the ability to block certain entries from my Facebook home page and the ability to delete things I had written in haste.

I like my desktop. After all, I built it. But I really like my laptop. So I give thanks to those who take big things and make them smaller. I am grateful to be able to check my email in bed or at the kitchen table, should I desire.

I am extremely thankful for my spam filter. Free enterprise and freedom of speech are great, but I get a ton of junk email. At least this way I don't have to look at it.

Finally, I am grateful to my wife, Teressa, who encourages me every two weeks to come up with yet another column and my daughter, Rachel, who proofreads them for me. It is truly a family effort.

Also, I am grateful for the opportunity The Times has given me over the past three years by providing a forum for my thoughts.

I thank you my readers, for letting me share them with you.

So where would we be without all of those inventions and innovations? We'd be giving the postal service more business - we'd all be writing letters, reading actual books and newspapers. Landlines, pay phones and typewriters - anyone remember them?

Sure, we could live without all of the technological advances. But who wants to?

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

Computer Care: Plenty of bargains to be found shopping online

	By Arthur Glazer arthur@glazerthepctech.com POSTED: November 27, 2010 1:00 a.m. It's the time of year for friends, family and spending lots of money. Oh yeah, the economy. Well, you can still get those electronic gifts and not spend all of your hard-earned cash. Shop online this year where there are plenty of deals. A few years ago, I spent a Black Friday at an outlet mall at my wife's insistence. She usually makes good decisions, but that is something I shall not experience again - not even with a gun to my head. Instead, now I shop on my computer. I get what I want, spend less time and less money doing it. Retailers know we are careful with what little spendable cash we have in this fragile economy. With this in mind, they are presenting us with many options for discounted purchases. I have a half dozen or so favorite online retailers that I frequent year round for electronics. Recently I have seen drastic reductions in items like laptops, desktops, monitors and other related items. You can find deals on sites like newegg.com, tigerdirect.com, overstock.com, amazon.com, techbargains.com and even eBay, for a "Buy it Now," when you don't want to wait for an auction to end. An advantage to online shopping is that those sites all list consumer comments about the products and the retailer. You get to see what others thought of the laptop you're about to drop $500 on. Aside from computers and monitors, I‘ve found good prices on e-book readers, GPS devices, cell phones, printers, software and gadgets galore. The e-book readers, or Kindle-type devices, are going for about $150, some for even less. It depends on the size and type of connection. Amazon has many in the used market for less. If you want a free reader, Amazon will let you download one. Look for Free Reader for PC on their site. It also has a rotating choice of free e-books for download. GPS devices have come down in price. If you don't have on in your car yet, check them out. I found a Garmin Nuvi and a Magellan Roadmate both for about $85 online. IPads are big this year. Apple usually won't discount anything, but again, Amazon has many used models. Don't picture a beat-up, half-broken device. I've bought some "like-new" electronics from them and have had no problems at all. Like Kindles, IPads vary in price with size, whether they have just Wi-Fi or 3G as well. New ones start at about $500. Last year's phenomenon, the netbook, is still around and is even cheaper than ever. Just be aware that you get what you pay for, especially with these subcompact mini laptops. They have 8-to-10-inch screens, weak processors, low-capacity batteries, small hard drives and keyboards that don't accommodate chunky fingers. They also don't have an optical drive. That means no CD/DVD. But if you just need it for note taking at school, it may be for you. They can be found for less than $300. Alternatively, laptops or desktops can be a better deal for about the same price. They now range from $300 to $2,000 and more, but many go for less than $800. You can get an Acer, Toshiba, HP or a Dell for less than $500, with some even less than that. Some are 64-bit and now all have Windows 7 installed. As I've mentioned in the past, Dell has a refurb section on its website with a huge inventory. At the high end, for little more than $1,000 or so, you can get an 18-inch laptop with a new generation i5 or i7 Intel processor, loaded with memory and a huge hard drive. The best deal I've come across is actually from Microsoft. The folks in Redmond are currently not only discounting some versions of Office Suites, but Windows as well. You can get a Family Pack of Windows 7, good for three computers for only $149.99 from their site, and they'll throw in a free wireless Cisco router as well. Usually you can only install Windows on one system and it costs about $120 per machine. So yes, this is a great deal. They may pull it at any time so check it out soon. If you want a new computer but don't want to buy one, get this updated operating system instead. It's everything XP never was and all Vista wanted to be. It's the big brother that did well. Win 7 is a great OS with some nice enhancements and is very smart and extremely fast. Online shopping is safe as long as you are cautious. Look for the "https" in the address bar before you enter your credit card info, or call the site instead. So fire up your PC and go shopping online. Google whatever it is you're looking for and do some comparison shopping. Use cnet.com for some unbiased reviews to help you decide. Even with expedited shipping, you'll often spend less online than at the mall. 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. POSTED: November 27, 2010 1:00 a.m It's the time of year for friends, family and spending lots of money.

Digital Cameras

Computer Care: New high-tech cameras offer more options at lower price

By Arthur Glazerarthur@glazerthepctech.com

	POSTED: November 13, 2010 1:00 a.m. Digital single lens reflex cameras, or DSLRs, as they are called, have become ubiquitous, even for the novice photographer. They used to cost up to $1,500 as once did a good laptop. Now both can be had for under a grand. You can still spend a couple of thousand dollars for either one, but unless you need professional-grade quipment, it isn't necessary. Nikon, Pentax, Sony, Canon and Panasonic and others have recently come out with DSLRs that are affordable and put the point-and-shoot genre to shame. These subthousand dollar cameras can be as easy to use as a point and shoot in auto-mode or as tricky as an SLR and just as creative in manual mode. There are actually more modes than you can shake a memory stick at. Aside from the standard Auto, Manual, Shutter and Aperture Priority modes, there are settings for portraits, sports, night time, panoramas, macro (extreme close-up) and much more. The plethora of buttons that cover the top and back of many models, have been moved to easy-to-navigate menus in the camera software. Only the bare essential buttons were left in most cases. Unlike the cheaper point and shoot models, the DSLRs have interchangeable lenses. Most come with a 18-55 mm or so zoom lens that cover a good basic range for most photographers. Depending on what brand camera you have and what you want to shoot, lenses can cost from under $100 to well over $1,000. Nikon, for example offer vibration reduction in their lenses. You can get a less expensive lens without the VR, but at a high zoom, any hand shaking can blur your photo. Also note whether or not the zoom lens offers auto focus. Sony and Pentax put their anti-shake technology in the camera instead of the lens. This makes their lenses less expensive and makes any lens that's made for that camera anti-shake. Many of the new cameras have a guide mode that takes you by the hand, if that's what you need to take good pictures. A lot of the newer models have high definition video, making the camera a two-in-one. In the past movie modes existed, but they were of a lesser quality. They were also hard to keep in focus, especially in low light situations. High def has changed all that. The LCD panels on the rear of the cameras have gone from 2 inches to 2.5 inches and now to 3 inches in most models. The color is vibrant and sharp. Some even have articulating rear panels, making it possible to take a picture holding the camera over your head or at your waist and still see what you're shooting. Some of these LCDs offer live view, which allows you to see your subject; others just provide device information such as exposure settings and menus. My personal preference is toward Sony and their alpha line of cameras. They are all affordable, especially if you get a used or refurbished model. Starting with the alpha, or a100 a few years back, they have since added the a200, a 250 and a300. Models higher than that are pro models for a lot more money. The a33 and a55 which offers a new type of technology just came out this summer. They are about 14 and 16 megapixels, respectively. Technically not a DSLR, they use translucent mirrors that light passes through instead of bouncing off it. The cameras shoot photos faster than ever; HD video is included and the cameras are smaller and lighter than previous models. Both of those cost less than $1,000 new, with a zoom lens. Nikon has a similar model, the D3100 and Canon has the T2i, but they lack the new technology the Sony has. Let's talk maintenance for a moment. One bad thing you can do is to toss your camera in your bag without a case, especially the point-and-shoots. The metal that covers the lens is wafer-thin and can be damaged by your cell phone, glasses, etc. Dust can also kill it. Invest in an $8 case. It will save an $80 camera. Check the batteries. If they are not fresh, your camera may not turn on. Make sure to take them out if the camera is not in use for long periods. Batteries can leak and ruin your camera. By using rechargeable batteries you can save a small fortune. They cost more initially, but can last for years. Does your camera have a viewfinder? By using it instead of the LCD panel, your battery life will be extended significantly. Consider updating your camera's firmware if you are having issues with it. Go to the manufacturer's website to download a small file and then install it in the camera with the USB cable that came with it. If you use one of those point-and-shoot cameras and feel stymied by their lack of options, consider a DSLR and let your creativity flow. The images that you can produce will be phenomenal.

Digital single lens reflex cameras, or DSLRs, as they are called, have become ubiquitous, even for the novice photographer. They used to cost up to $1,500 as once did a good laptop. Now both can be had for under a grand.

You can still spend a couple of thousand dollars for either one, but unless you need professional-grade quipment, it isn't necessary.

Nikon, Pentax, Sony, Canon and Panasonic and others have recently come out with DSLRs that are affordable and put the point-and-shoot genre to shame. These subthousand dollar cameras can be as easy to use as a point and shoot in auto-mode or as tricky as an SLR and just as creative in manual mode.

There are actually more modes than you can shake a memory stick at. Aside from the standard Auto, Manual, Shutter and Aperture Priority modes, there are settings for portraits, sports, night time, panoramas, macro (extreme close-up) and much more.

The plethora of buttons that cover the top and back of many models, have been moved to easy-to-navigate menus in the camera software. Only the bare essential buttons were left in most cases.

Unlike the cheaper point and shoot models, the DSLRs have interchangeable lenses. Most come with a 18-55 mm or so zoom lens that cover a good basic range for most photographers. Depending on what brand camera you have and what you want to shoot, lenses can cost from under $100 to well over $1,000.

Nikon, for example offer vibration reduction in their lenses. You can get a less expensive lens without the VR, but at a high zoom, any hand shaking can blur your photo. Also note whether or not the zoom lens offers auto focus.

Sony and Pentax put their anti-shake technology in the camera instead of the lens. This makes their lenses less expensive and makes any lens that's made for that camera anti-shake.

Many of the new cameras have a guide mode that takes you by the hand, if that's what you need to take good pictures.

A lot of the newer models have high definition video, making the camera a two-in-one. In the past movie modes existed, but they were of a lesser quality. They were also hard to keep in focus, especially in low light situations. High def has changed all that.

The LCD panels on the rear of the cameras have gone from 2 inches to 2.5 inches and now to 3 inches in most models. The color is vibrant and sharp. Some even have articulating rear panels, making it possible to take a picture holding the camera over your head or at your waist and still see what you're shooting.

Some of these LCDs offer live view, which allows you to see your subject; others just provide device information such as exposure settings and menus.

My personal preference is toward Sony and their alpha line of cameras. They are all affordable, especially if you get a used or refurbished model. Starting with the alpha, or a100 a few years back, they have since added the a200, a 250 and a300. Models higher than that are pro models for a lot more money.

The a33 and a55 which offers a new type of technology just came out this summer. They are about 14 and 16 megapixels, respectively. Technically not a DSLR, they use translucent mirrors that light passes through instead of bouncing off it.

The cameras shoot photos faster than ever; HD video is included and the cameras are smaller and lighter than previous models. Both of those cost less than $1,000 new, with a zoom lens.

Nikon has a similar model, the D3100 and Canon has the T2i, but they lack the new technology the Sony has.

Let's talk maintenance for a moment. One bad thing you can do is to toss your camera in your bag without a case, especially the point-and-shoots. The metal that covers the lens is wafer-thin and can be damaged by your cell phone, glasses, etc. Dust can also kill it. Invest in an $8 case. It will save an $80 camera.

Check the batteries. If they are not fresh, your camera may not turn on. Make sure to take them out if the camera is not in use for long periods. Batteries can leak and ruin your camera.

By using rechargeable batteries you can save a small fortune. They cost more initially, but can last for years.

Does your camera have a viewfinder? By using it instead of the LCD panel, your battery life will be extended significantly.

Consider updating your camera's firmware if you are having issues with it. Go to the manufacturer's website to download a small file and then install it in the camera with the USB cable that came with it.

If you use one of those point-and-shoot cameras and feel stymied by their lack of options, consider a DSLR and let your creativity flow. The images that you can produce will be phenomenal.

Arthur Glazer is a freelance writer and computer technician who lives in Gainesville. His column appears biweekly.

Combat body fatigue while on computer

Computer Care: Take precautions to ease computer eye, body strain

By Arthur Glazerarthur@glazerthepctech.com
	POSTED: October 30, 2010 1:00 a.m.

If you're reading this online, chances are you are straining your eyes and probably your neck and back as well. If you're holding the paper while reading this, your turn will come later when you check your e-mail. According to Dr. Marc Grossman, O.D., more than 50 percent of computer users experience eye strain, headaches and blurred vision from staring at the computer screen for hours at a time. There is a condition called CVS, Computer Vision Syndrome, where one's sight is light-sensitive with blurred vision. The size of words often changes. All this is due to improper use of the computer monitor. It's not just eye strain, either. Computer users often complain of back, neck and hand aches, sometimes leading to carpal tunnel syndrome. The best prevention to all this is frequent breaks, good lighting and proper posture. You should sit upright in an adjustable and comfortable chair with your feet flat on the floor. Your shoulders should be relaxed and your monitor should be about 16-20 inches in front of you, according to folks at the Mayo Clinic. To reduce fatigue, tap the keyboard gently with your forearms parallel to the floor. During your breaks, do some stretching exercises. Relax your neck and shoulders and close your eyes. Take a deep breath. When you exhale, drop your chin to your chest and gently roll your head clockwise as you inhale. Do it slowly, get the kinks out and reverse direction when done. Be conscious of your breathing and keep relaxed. Do these rolls in each direction a couple of times. Stand and brace your hands over your head to release shoulder tension. Exercising your eyes will help to deduce focusing fatigue. Look away from your monitor every half hour or so and focus on something across the room or out the window. Look at it for 10-15 seconds. Then look back at something close and stare at it for the same time. Do this 10 times. Studies show that computer users blink only 20 percent as frequently as they normally do. This dries the eyes, causing blurred vision, irritation and fatigue. So make a conscious effort to blink when computing. Our ancestors used to live outdoors, always watching the horizon in search of the food they hunted. We on the other hand, live indoors and stare at our computer monitors. It's not the way we were meant to live and it's not healthy. One thing we can do is change from the old cathode ray tube-type monitors to the newer flat-panel LCDs, which are easier on the eyes. The CRTs have flicker, which contribute to eye strain. If you have one of those, go into the monitor settings and change the refresh rate to at least 70 Hz. LCDs have no flicker or settings to change. When shopping for the flat panel models get one with a dot pitch of .28 or lower and be at least 19 inch diagonally in size. They will have a sharper image than those with a higher dot pitch, which are often cheaper. So -- and there is the caveat -- with monitors, cheaper is not always the best choice. Bad lighting has an ill effect on our eyes. Try to have room lights and windows either above or to the sides of your computer. Try to minimize glare. If the light source is behind the monitors, you will be looking at it; if behind you, you'll see its reflection. The display should not be a source of light but only as bright as the room you're in. Take a look a white background on a Web page. If it's on the dull side, brighten it a bit, but not too much. Adjustments can be made not only from the buttons on the display, but from the software as well. You can change setting for brightness and contrast, along with gamma, saturation and vibrance in most cases. Play with it to find a comfortable setting. You can always revert back to the default setting should you find you over adjusted it. In most computers, look where you change the resolution, most of the time by right-clicking on your desktop and depending on your version of Windows, either go to Settings, or Personalize and look for Color Management from there. You can also calibrate your display settings in there. The Institute of Occupational Safety and Health says eye strain can not only cause fatigue, decreased productivity and CVS, but can lead to glaucoma. The most important thing to do according to our optometrist, Dr. Elliott Brass, is to get annual eye exams and have proper eyewear. This is especially important if you work constantly in front of a computer. I wear trifocal progressive glasses. The midsection of the lens is for my computer vision and helps immensely. There are also dedicated computer glasses that you can get. Take breaks, even if they're at your desk. Stand and stretch, blink, stare out a window, roll your head. It all helps. 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

REFURBS

POSTED: October 16, 2010 1:00 a.m.

	Buy Refurbs and Save Refurbished items can be a bargain By Arthur Glazerarthur@glazerthepctech.com Everybody likes a bargain. But even as the cost of computers and other electronics have come down, there is still another way so save a few bucks on them. One word: Refurbs. No, don't stop reading. I know that many of you have this image of a refurbished item being something that a couple of children played dodgeball with, got it all sticky, broke some parts, lost some others and then had it returned by their parents. Well, that's just not the case. Refurbished electronics, or refurbs as they are called, can be a variety of things. They are items that were purchased new and for whatever reason returned, usually within 30 days. They could have been broken or just not liked. For whatever reason, they are inspected, reconditioned, repaired if necessary, repackaged and resold at a considerable discount. Some of these could have been store demos, others simply overstock items. Demos may have small scratches, but are otherwise fine. I always ask if there is scratch-and-dent room in a store or look for one on a web site. A scratch equals a discount. When a store has shelves full of last year's laptops and the new models come in, the old ones are considered discontinued or overstock items. What were new models now become obsolete with the new line coming in. They are now also considered refurbs, even though they are really new and never used. If you don't need state-of-the-art, you've got yourself a bargain. Open-box returns are simply that. Someone got a computer and it turned out to be the wrong model or perhaps a color they didn't like so they sent it back. Now it's a refurb. I recently bought a refurbished printer at a huge discount. When I opened the box, all of the protective tape was still on the device and it looked brand new. Then I realized why it was returned. This particular printer took some assembly to make it function. Not only did I have to install the cartridges, I had to install the print head, the paper loader, and the power supply, and then configure it. After 20 minutes or so, I could finally use it. For me it was no big deal. That's what I do. But for someone who is not technically inclined, to come upon something like that, it's back in the box and back to the store. Some consumers simply want an out-of-box experience. Open it and use it. So items like that become refurbs. Off-lease items are computers, printers or whatever that were leased to companies and then returned at the end of their contracts. They are reconditioned and then sold as refurbs. You may find computers that were ordered custom-made and never picked up by the consumer. Now they're refurbs. There are of course items that were broken and returned. But these go through a rigorous revamping. Whatever is found wrong is fixed. Only 10 percent of returned items are taken apart and resold for their parts. Everything else is reconditioned and sent back to the stores as refurbs. Just because thing are sold at a discount doesn't mean they are not covered under a warranty. Most items have the same coverage that a new item would. At the least, you'll have 30 days to return the item if you are not satisfied with it. Always ask about the coverage. Some companies will even sell you an extended warranty on a refurb. That is telling you they have faith in that item and are willing to back it. I have one that states if I return it three times for the same reason, it will be replaced. There are lots of websites that deal with refurbs. Dell computers have a ton of desktops and laptops on their site. They offer the same warranties on their refurbished computers as new computers. Overstock.com is another site to consider. Much of what they sell is refurbished items. Read the fine print and you'll see. Often they will tell you if it is new or was an open-box return of a demo. AT&T sells refurbished cell phones on its website. Refurbdepot.com sells a little bit of everything on theirs. There is tigerdirect.com and newegg.com that have the occasional refurbished item. Whatever store or site you go to, ask if they have refurbs and what type of warranties comes with them. Things to watch out for are crushed boxes or dented corners on them; they could have been dropped leading to further damage. If you get a computer delivered to you like that, tell the driver to note it on the invoice. You may open the box and find a computer D.O.A. By purchasing a refurbished device you can save anywhere from 20 percent to 80 percent. Often it is identical to the new item. Heed my advice and you may save a couple of bucks next time you're computer shopping. Should you forget, I'll write it again in another column in a few months - refurbished. 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.