What? Your computer is slow? Why?

Why is my computer running so slowly? When I bought it, it was so fast…but now I can barely get my internet up. Does this sound familiar? Computers sure can help us simplify our lives but when they stop working the way they used to, it can be frustrating. So what are the reasons a computer slows down?

 

Here are my top 5 reasons that I see on a daily basis:

 

• 1-Clicking yes on everything – Downloading tool bars – Just because it comes to you for free and promises to help you, doesn’t mean it actually does. Many times I see internet explorer bogged down with a yahoo toolbar, a Google toolbar, and other toolbars that take away resources from the browser. These small programs start up when you start up your internet and take away space and time. They promise you help with searching and finding things quickly, but when you have too many, it has the opposite effect. Also, when cruising on the internet…don’t click on everything that they give you. Yes, it’s free but how many computer clean up tools does a person need. Not only do they conflict with one another, they generally install malware (bad things that get into your system – spyware, adware, viruses, Trojans) that hurt your computer. Just remember…nothing is really for free…you are paying for it in one way or another
• 2- Boy, is this desk a mess - Not Cleaning up your files - Computers are like file cabinets. Eventually you can fill one up, have it overflow and you can’t find anything. Computers gather data that starts off making your life organized. What happens when you start stuffing it full of information? You need to clean your computer just like you would have to clean your file cabinet. All computers have clean up tools already installed in them. We just need to use them. Cookies, temporary files and set up files collect on your hard drive and over time clutter up and are hard to sift through. One should clean up (disk clean up and defragment) at least once a month. This keeps your computer running smoothly and with little issues.
• 3-I wanna play…pick me… Too many things running in background…start up – When you computer starts up, there are many programs that start up with it. The only programs that should run when your computer starts up are your anti-virus program, and any drivers (hardware) that need to make your computer run. That is really all you need. Sometimes I get computers that have multiple programs running such as limewire, quicken, Microsoft office, adobe, etc…and they take so much time to open. Only open programs that you need to use and then when you close them, you’re done. Why have these programs take away from your computer performance. So when download or installing, make sure you do not check the open at start up option.
• 4 –I don’t feel so well- Viruses or operating system issues – Installing freeware, downloading music and clicking on unfamiliar emails can leave your system open for vulnerabilities. Malware can come in many ways and can infect your system and certainly slow it down. You should get a highly rated anti-virus program and make sure it is updated daily. I recommend scanning your system once a week to make sure nothing comes in and if something does, hopefully, it will scan out. Remember no anti-virus can give you 100% protection, but the better ones help out tremendously. Remember what I said about freeware…you get what you pay for, so buy yourself a good one. Malware can start slowly…and eventually take over a system and render it useless. Also, it can cause operating system issues by making necessary files not work. It can corrupt your registry (where your system files, settings and options) and take over your system slowly. You may notice small issues but sooner than later, your computer will start to lock up, freeze and not boot.
• Ouch something is broken! – Hardware issues – RAM can be an issue if your computer is older than 3 years old. Programs are being made daily that need more speed and more space. Adding RAM can help these older computers. RAM helps with the speed on your computer. It helps the processor and hard drive work together. Also, If your hard drive is smaller and you are storing a lot of pictures and music, you may want to consider a large external hard drive to store your information on. Freeing up space on your hard drive makes cleaning up and defragmenting your computer easier. Sometimes these parts just start to go bad, and replacing makes a world of difference.

 

Follow these guidelines for basic care and maintenance. This will keep your computer running smoothly for years to come.

 

-Tara Belzer owns Friendly Computers in Charlotte NC. She has her own blog on www.tarabelzerfriendlycomputers and talks about computer issues in an open forum. She enjoys to help people understand computers and make them feel more comfortable with them. Visit Tara’s site at www.friendlycomputers.com/charlotte .

New Funny Hoaxes and Legends and Truths!

WARNING- This is true

BBB Alert: Phishing Scams Pose as Fed Ex and UPS to Con Consumers

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - December 4, 2008 - With only three weeks left to get holiday cards and gifts sent to loved ones, phishing scams are posing as holiday shipping and mailing services to scam consumers. The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers to be on the lookout for two new phishing scams this holiday season. Hackers and scammers are pretending to be customer service personnel from some of the biggest names in business – including FedEx and UPS.  Hackers are impersonating well-known companies in order to gain access to computer drives to steal your personal information including Social Security, bank or credit card numbers.  

 

“While most of the country is preparing to celebrate the holidays, cyber criminals are spreading computer viruses and stealing identities,” said Tom Bartholomy, president and CEO of The Better Business Bureau of Southern Piedmont. “Hackers using e-mail phishing messages are posing as trusted businesses to take advantage of the seasonal increase in online shopping and shipping of merchandise all across the country.” 

 

The BBB has the following advice:

 

Shipping scams – Hackers send phishing e-mails from “shipping companies” claiming that there is a problem with delivery of merchandise. Commonly, the e-mail will include a hyperlink for recipients to click on that will take them to another Web site that might install malware or solicit personal information. A message currently making the rounds has a subject line that looks like, “Subject: Tracking Number 13040065504.” The body of the message claims that a package could not be delivered and advises the recipient, “to print the copy of the invoice that is in the added file.” The attachment is actually a virus that will infect the computer.

 

BBB Advice: Instead of clicking on the link in the e-mail, go directly to the shipper’s Web site or contact the company via telephone to confirm whether there is a shipping problem with your package. Do not open attachments to unsolicited e-mails.

 

E-card scams – E-cards are a popular and inexpensive way to deliver season’s greetings to loved ones. With legitimate e-cards, the recipient receives an e-mail with a hyperlink that will take the user to the e-card which is housed on a Web site. Unfortunately, by design, e-cards are an easy way for hackers to disguise phishing e-mails and direct you to their Web sites which will install viruses and malware on your computer.  You should  be careful about clicking on a link in an e-card as the hackers will often use logos from recognized brands and companies in order to appear legitimate.

 

BBB advice: Phishing e-mails posing as e-cards can be difficult to spot. Spelling and grammatical mistakes should be a red flag. Also, do not follow the link in an e-card if you do not recognize the name of the sender. Consumers who receive suspicious e-mails should report them to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.

 

For more information, please visit www.bbb.org or call the BBB (toll-free in NC and SC) at 1-877-317-7236.         

• and here is an example of this:

                           This is a HOAX:OK>….. here are some links from Snopes.com that will be real viruses:

http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/obamavideo.asp

http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/cnnalert.asp

http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/obamaspeech.asp

And these are real HOAXES:

http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/mobile.asp

http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/gotyou.asp

http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/jdbgmgr.asp

Friendly Computers hopes you enjoyed this!

Contact Fedex Delivery Man Mr.Daniel j Cole for your package of $800.000.00 United States Dollars, with your valid home address and phone number, find his contact below .Contact Person: Mr.Daniel j Cole Email fedexdispatchunit2008@live.com Telephone 0044-704-571-8669 0044-700-593-8850

0044-704-572-3886

Regard,

Mr.Wellingston Ferguson.

 

 

Dear Capital One Customer,

This is your official notification from Capital One. Your online account has expired. If you want
to continue using our service you have to renew your online account. If not, your online account
will be deactivated and deleted.

To continue click here, complete the renew form with your current
information.

Many Thanks and Kind Regards – Capital One Bank – Update Department

• Look at hyperlinks and pay attention to web addresses!
• I wish this was true:
• CHEVRON OIL/PETROLEUM COMMISSION

Abuja (Regional Office-North)

Plot 698, Zone B3,

Off Jelowo Idris Road,

abdul District,

Abuja.Nigeria

We bring to your notice,that during our

randomly select of

the(CHEVRON OIL/PETROLEUM)lucky winner,your

mail was the luckies

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you have to do,

right away is for you to go on with the

forms filling,so as to no the

identity of our luky winner.you have to

quickly at fast as

possible,once again CONGRATULATION.

Draw (#385)

Date: 11th-November 2008.

Ticket Number:234867009 with a

Serial Number 80074/09

Winning numbers: 04, 08, 20, 05, 27, 16

(BONUS.20)

Amount: $7,500,000.00 USD

Contact the promotion Manager with the

information below:

Full

Names:………………………………

Contact Address:………………..

Nationality:…………..

Sex:……….

Tel:……………………

Home/Mobile:………………….

Fax:……………….

Occupation:………………………

Batch/Winning

Numbers:…………………………..

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So your mailings are much needed,

Yours faithfully,

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Services Manager,

Payment and Release order Department,

CHEVRON LOTTERY PROCESSING AGENT.

Federal Capital City,

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Email:mr_ali_yusuf660@yahoo.com.hk

Call Me @:+23480-7206-1247

Mr.Deji Suleman

Chevron Oil Petroluem Bonanza/Lottery

Coordinator,

Winning Department,

Email Hoaxes….some examples

Here are some examples of email hoaxes…Can you tell me why these are hoaxes?

Example #1:

Your Bank Draft
Greetings: !

I have been waiting for you since to contact me for your Confirmable Bank Draft of $900.000.00 United States Dollars, but I did not hear from  you since that time. Then I went and deposited the Draft with FEDEX COURIER SERVICE,West Africa, I traveled out of the country for a 3 Months  Course and I will not come back till end of November.

What you have to do now is to contact the FEDEX COURIER SERVICE as soon as possible to know when they will deliver your package to you because  of the expiring date. For your information, I have paid for the delivering Charge,Insurance premium and Clearance Certificate Fee of the Cheque showing that it is not a Drug Money or meant to sponsor Terrorist attack in your Country.

The only money you will send to the FEDEX COURIER SERVICE to deliver your Draft direct to your postal Address in your country is ($245.00 US)Dollars only being Security Keeping Fee of the Courier Company so far. Again,don’t be deceived by anybody to pay any other money except $245.00
USD.

I would have paid that but they said no because they don’t know when  you will contact them and in case of demurrage. You have to contact the FEDEX COURIER SERVICE now for the delivery of your Draft with this information below;

Contact Person: Mr.James Graham
Email Address: fedex_claims_dept@live.com
Telephone: +234-805-092-8096

Finally, make sure that you reconfirm your Postal address( ) and Direct telephone number to them again to avoid any mistake on the Delivery and ask them to give you the tracking number to enable you track your package over there and know when it will get to your address.

Let me repeat again, try to contact them as soon as you receive this mail to avoid any further delay and remember to pay them their Security Keeping fee of $245.00 US Dollars for their immediate action. You should also let me know through email as soon as you receive your Draft.

Yours Faithfully,

Mr. Amaranth.Wilson

Example #2:

Thank you for your interest in the Mystery Shopper position.

Our company conducts surveys and evaluates other companies in order to help them achieve their performance goals.

We offer an integrated suite of business solutions that enables corporations to achieve tangible results in the marketplace.

We get hired by other companies and act like customers to find out how they are handling their services in relation to their customers.

Mystery Shopping is the most accurate and reliable tool a business can use to gather information regarding their actual customer service performance at the moment of truth. This moment of truth is not when the staff is on their best behavior because the boss is around – it is when they interact with customers during their normal daily routines.

This is where you, the Mystery Shopper, come in. You pose as an ordinary customer and provide feedback of both factual observations (ex…the floor was free of debris) and your own opinions (ex…I felt that the temperature in the establishment was too cold).

Mystery Shoppers must remain anonymous. You must act as a regular customer and be careful not to do anything that would reveal you as a shopper. An inexperienced shopper could tip off the staff to his/her identity by asking for the manager’s name for no clear or appropriate reason. If you are going to be bringing someone with you on the shop, make sure you educate them about the process as well. Beware that even whispers can be overheard by employees. If anyone notices you are a shopper, you can bet that word will quickly spread around the establishment and you will get some of the best customer service in town.

No company can afford to have a gap between the promise of quality and its actual delivery, that’s why leading corporations look to us, the nation’s premiere mystery shopping and customer experience measurement company.

In order for a business to effectively compete in today’s economy, they must be prepared to meet the challenge of increasing sales by:

* Retaining existing customers

* Acquiring new customers

* Creating word-of-mouth advocacy

* Improving customer loyalty

Once we have a contract to do so, you would be directed to the company or outlet, and you would be given the funds you need to do the job(either purchase merchandise or require services), after which you would write a detailed report of your experience.

Examples of details you would forward to us are:

1) How long does it take to get served.

2) Politeness of the attendant.

3) Customer service professionalism.

4) Sometimes you might be required to upset the attendant, to see how they deal with difficult clients.

Then we turn the information over to the company executives and they will carry out their own duties in improving their services.

Most companies employ our assistance when people complain about their services, or when they feel there is a need for them to improve upon their customer service.

Our company partners with you to implement proven mystery shop auditing and surveying strategies that provide critical information about customer experiences.

You will be paid a commission of $100 for every duty you carry out, and bonus on your transportation allowance.

Your task will be to evaluate and comment on customer service in a wide variety of restaurants, retail stores, casinos, shopping malls, banks and hotels in your area.

Qualities of a good Mystery Shopper:

* Is 21 years of age or older

* Loves to go shopping

* Is fair and objective

* Is ON TIME

* Is very observant and able to focus on details

* Is fairly intelligent

* Has patience

* Is detail oriented

* Is practical

* Types well

* Is trustworthy

* Explains well in writing

* Is discreet

* Loves to learn

* Handles deadlines

* Has full internet access (at home or at work) Mystery Shopping is fun and exciting but also must be approached very seriously and is definitely not for everyone.

If you are interested in applying for consideration as a Mystery Shopper do send in your information: michael.peterson164@gmail.com Full Name:

Address:

City:

State:

Zip Code:

Phone Number:

Age:

Occupation:

As soon as we receive your information we will add you to our database and we will look for locations in your area that needs to be evaluated.

Thank you,

Michael Neilsen

Quality Survey Solutions Inc.

6305 Green Circle Drive

Minnetonka, MN 55341

 

Example #3:

 

Antivirus 2009 for Windows
Protect your PC from Viruses

Download Antivirus 2009

Protect your computer from virus attacks, Trojans, and other forms of Malware.
Included: Registry Repair, Firewall Pro, Spyware Remover.

For more information visit our website

Thank you for choosing us, the worldwide leader in computer protection software.

Sincerely,

David Matthews
Antivirus Protection

If you want to stop receiving mail, please go to:
http://daily-online–enews.org/

 

or you may contact us at the following address:

 

Plaza Neptuno, local #7
Via ricardo J Alfaro, Tumba Muerto
Panama Ciudad
Republica de Panama

Example #4:

Download iTunes 2009
Join the millions of users who are enjoying iTunes today.

Download iTunes Now

iTunes is the absolute best software for all of your multimedia needs and the only program to use for your iPod.
With iTunes you will be able to shop for your favourite songs online, picking and choosing only the songs that you want.
iTunes combines all of the features and services you are looking for with an easy to use interface.

Review All of the Features

-iTunes Movie Rentals
-iPod video converter
-iPod movie codec pack
-Interactive video guides

Rip and copy your favourite audio CDs to your iTunes library.
Easily create audio CD’s from your iTunes library.
Convert your DVD collection and transfer the files to your iPod.

Download iTunes Today

24/7 Customer Support
Windows VISTA ready- 98Me2000XP Compatible

Thank you for your interest,

Greg Matthews
Customer Relations

If you want to stop receiving mail, please go to:
http://daily–new–product.org/

 

or you may contact us at the following address:

 

Plaza Neptuno, local #7
Via ricardo J Alfaro, Tumba Muerto
Panama Ciudad
Republica de Panama

Anything look familiar between #3 and #4?