Triona's Tech Tips

Is it possible to have a truly offline computer? As I described in my recent column in the Northwest Herald, the short answer is no. Even if you don’t need the Internet, your computer does. You can still be infected by viruses even if you’re not online. In fact, your computer will turn into a silent hotbed of virus activity just waiting for the opportunity to infect others. The older the computer, the worse the problem.

The article isn’t available online, so I’ll give you the gist of it:

Pretend you have a Windows 2000 computer that never goes on the Internet. Using it is like traveling through time, ten years into the past. There are plenty of old friends installed: Microsoft Office 2000, Acrobat 5, Internet Explorer 6, programs that were standards at the time but have long since been replaced with newer versions.

You might think you could continue to use this computer in isolation, maybe for basic word processing. It doesn’t matter as long as it doesn’t connect to anything, right?

But, let’s pretend your printer dies. No point in word processing if you can’t print. The new printer says that it’s not really Windows 2000 compatible, but you might be able to find some software on the Internet. You try to log on but poor Internet Explorer 6 can’t handle a modern web site. And, behind the scenes, a virus just snuck through holes in IE6 to infect your computer.

Unaware of the virus, you decide to use your Windows 7 laptop to download the printer software to a USB flash drive. Another virus hitches a ride from the laptop to the desktop, a virus that can’t run under Windows 7 but is more than happy to infect Windows 2000. The Windows 2000 computer is now a hotbed of virus activity, and the only symptom is that it’s increasingly slower.

Other viruses join the party, and pretty soon that Windows 2000 computer is spewing all sorts of junk that infects your Windows 7 laptop, your smartphone, your iPad… then your email and Facebook accounts get hijacked and suddenly your bank is calling about missing funds.

I’ve received a few responses from folks with older computers, disagreeing with my opinion. Most of the responses included the observation: “I’ve been running this version of Windows for umpteen years and I’ve never had a virus.” If I may add… that you know of.

In fairness to these folks, yes, I do know people who use Windows 98 or Windows 2000 without the world grinding to an earth-shattering halt. Most of them are retirees or others who don’t use their computers often. In such cases we try to keep the computer functional for as long as we can. But there are others who – in my opinion – are doing absolutely lunatic things with ancient computers. Like trying to run a business with them: payroll, marketing, the works. And that gives me the screaming heebie-jeebies because there are SO many ways it can go disastrously wrong for both you and your business.

Most viruses and malware show absolutely no signs of their presence. It doesn’t matter if a Win98 or Win2000 computer has antivirus installed or not, because any antivirus capable of running under those versions of Windows is incapable of detecting new threats. It’s like taking a police officer from 1912, dropping him into 2012, and expecting him to cope with modern problems for which he has no frame of reference.

Friends, I’m saying these things to help, not to hinder. I think one reason many people are reluctant to change is because it truly is difficult to get used to a computer with a different interface. Like when we moved from DOS to Windows 95, or Windows XP to Windows Vista and 7. A new interface puts us on edge, even old salts like me. It’s annoying to spend half your morning trying to figure out how you used to do something, but that’s technology, and the only thing you can do is adapt.

You may find it easier if you keep in mind that computers haven’t really changed all that much since the 1980s. Saving a file, typing a document, finding a contact’s address, these things are still the same. It’s the look-and-feel of the computer that has changed, plus the ability to access more information faster. Even the Internet is pretty close to what it was when I started using it twenty years ago. Today I’m using RSS feeds and Facebook chat instead of Usenet news and UNIX talk, but the fundamentals remain.

What do you think? Is there life to be had in old computers, or are the security risks too great?

There’s a big debacle going on in the tech world. It seems that CNet aka download.com, purveyors of downloadable software, took a very popular geek tool called Nmap and wrapped their version of the free installer with the installer for some junky browser toolbar. Two of my favorite tech sites, The Register and Sophos Naked Security, have good descriptions of the situation.

The author of Nmap is a well-known Net.denizen named Fyodor, who is justifiably steamed. His response:

“The problem is that users often just click through installer screens, trusting that download.com gave them the real installer and knowing that the Nmap project wouldn’t put malicious code in our installer. Then the next time the user opens their browser, they find that their computer is hosed with crappy toolbars, Bing searches, Microsoft as their home page, and whatever other shenanigans the software performs! The worst thing is that users will think we (Nmap Project) did this to them!”

He has an excellent point. I can tell you that any customer I’ve ever worked with would be irate indeed to have their computer messed up by a stupid junky toolbar they never wanted. But what should you, as a consumer, do about good software that comes bundled with junk?

Go to the original download source
Don’t rely on aggregate sites like CNet for your software. Instead, go directly to the web site of the program’s developers. You’ll often find a more recent version there, as well as better support options. This also eliminates the problem of poisoned search engine results when searching for programs (links that look legit but lead to virus-laden sites).

Look at the window before you click
In the Nmap case, the installer for the Babylon browser bar makes it look like you have to install it before you can install Nmap. When installing software, look very carefully for obscure checkboxes and buttons. Most of these installers stealthily install their junk by either making the opt-out checkbox hard to find, or by making the junk look like a necessary part of the install.

In the Nmap case, if you click Accept you’re only accepting the junk because this is the wrapper; you haven’t even gotten to the real installer yet. As Fyodor said, most people will click this then wonder why their Web browser isn’t working. Then they’ll have to find somebody who knows how to remove this kind of junk, because you have to remove ALL of it or it will continue to mess up your computer.

Make your voice heard
If you spot software that is bundled with junk, let the manufacturer know how disgusted you are. Keep your friends and colleagues informed by sending them a link to this article and letting them know about the menace of stealthy junk software.

You should not ever have to install a piece of junk to install the program you want – and if the program you want won’t let you do it any other way, find a different program. Shame on you, CNet. And kudos to developers like Fyodor who actually care about the end users.

(Photo of awesome Tron “I Fight For The Users” shirt from ThinkGeek. And no, I’m not getting any affiliate rewards for telling you that. I just like both the shirt and the store.)

I never thought I’d be nostalgic for the days when installing software meant stuffing disk after disk into a floppy drive. Today’s fast Internet installs make the old days look positively antiquated. I’m delighted with the convenience of being able to install a new game utility at a moment’s notice. And one thing I find that I miss about the old days is the ability to try software before I buy it.

Case in point: I recently evaluated RSS readers for iPad. Leaving aside my annoyance that almost all of them require Google Reader (what if I don’t want to put my feeds in the cloud?), it wasn’t possible to test the apps without buying them. I ended up buying a couple of apps that couldn’t do what I wanted, which is great for the developers (and Apple) but not so good for a budget-conscious citizen.

I don’t expect something for nothing. Developers put valuable time and skill into creating these programs and they should be compensated. But I don’t want to buy software I can’t use, either. Even if its only $0.99 (and most of these apps were in the $5-10 range), the cost adds up. Some developers offer “lite” versions which is great. I’d like to see more of that.

While I’m on the subject, developers need to create decent Web sites that describes their apps’ features in full detail. Check out the site for Reeder, which is an excellent RSS app, not that you’d know it from the site. There’s a whole lot of design without much substance. For pity’s sake, could we have a feature list, a support page, maybe even some frequently asked questions? There’s some information here, but not enough and it’s hard to find. You need to tell people at a glance what they’re getting for their $0.99 or $5 or $10, or whatever.

In other words, today’s developers could stand to grab some nostalgia from the old days, when software came in a box that told you everything you needed to know.

Since the 1980s I’ve been fixing computers that won’t start up, won’t print, or can’t find files. The Internet adds an extra level of complexity, but we’re still facing the same basic tech support problems.

1. Your computer won’t start up.
There are three possibilities: your computer isn’t getting any power, it can’t find the hard drive, or there’s something wrong with your system software. The latter is by far the most common, and may be the result of a virus, a program conflict, or just bad luck.

First, try powering your computer down. If it doesn’t start up, follow the prompts on the screen. But don’t expect your PC to work properly in Safe Mode, which is meant as a diagnostic tool only. Once you’re in you need to find what caused the error and fix it. Likely suspects are new programs or devices. Run your virus scanner not just once, but several times. If your startup failure is caused by a virus you may need a tool like Malwarebytes to get rid of it completely. Reboot several times to make sure things are working, and make an immediate backup (but don’t overwrite the old one in case you still need it).

2. You can’t print.
Once again, three possibilities: the printer has no power, it’s not connected to the computer, or there’s a software error. Let’s assume you’ve tried rebooting and you’ve checked the cables. If you’ve printed successfully in the past, then it’s probably a problem with the software or file. Try a different file as well as a different program. You can look up any error messages or misbehavior on the printer’s support site. As a last resort you can unplug your printer, remove its software, and reinstall according to manufacturer instructions.

3. Your data is missing.
The default directory for Windows XP files is My Documents. In Vista and Windows 7 it’s Documents, as it is for Mac users. But this is just the default location; files can be saved almost anywhere. If your file or folder isn’t where you expect, try searching for it by name or date.

What if all your data is gone? If your desktop also looks different, you may be logged in under the wrong account. Check under the Start menu in Windows or the Apple menu on a Mac to see your login name.

In the previous case the data was simply misplaced. What if it really is gone? The sooner you try to recover a file, the better your chances of success, although it’s far easier to recover from a backup. In truly grim situations you might have to send your drive to a data recovery service.

4. You can’t get on the Internet.
Sometimes it’s not your Internet connection, just one specific program. But if none of your Internet applications are working and a reboot doesn’t help, it’s time for some diagnostics.

First, check your cables and the lights on our router and/or DSL modem. As I explained in a previous article, you should familiarize yourself with what “normal” looks like for your setup so you know what “not normal” looks like. Power everything off and back on, wait a few moments, and try again.

If it’s a wireless problem you may be able to connect with a wire, and this is a good way to determine if it’s just the wireless or the whole network.

5. You can’t open an attachment.
This almost always means your computer doesn’t know which program to use. You should be able to open anything with a common file type: TXT, DOC, PDF, JPG. But you might receive an attachment created in a program you don’t have. One common example of this is receiving a DOCX file, the new Word format that replaced DOC. If you can’t open DOCX files you either need a plug-in for your word processing program (typically free to download) or the person who created the file needs to resave as DOC.

Once you get the hang of common tech support problems, they waste less of your time.

If you’re worried about your kids’ Internet safety, you’re not alone. The rapid pace of tech innovation often leaves parents feeling lost, but the latest parental control software gives you the ability to keep up with the trends.

One of my current favorites is a freebie from an old friend. Symantec’s Norton Online Family lets you protect all the computers in your house from one convenient web-based control panel. What’s nice about Norton Online Family is that it works with both PC and Mac. First, set up your initial account on the Online Family web site, then add accounts for each child based on age. You’ll receive emails notifying you of any blocked sites or unwanted activity, and as the parental administrator you can permit or deny sites as you prefer. The default settings work great for blocking popups and ads on the sites your kids visit. And did I mention, it’s free?

There are some other freebies available to you if you have Windows 7 or Mac OS X Snow Leopard or Lion. The latest versions of these systems include improved parental control features.

I’m often asked if kids can get past parental controls. Of course they can, if they try hard enough. Using your computer’s built-in features offers resistance to “accidental” attempts to disarm the safeties, but I think a better deterrent is good old-fashioned communication. Even using the term “parental control software” can put your teen into a combative stance. Instead, call it what it is: part of your Internet safety arsenal. There are good reasons to protect kids’ computers that have nothing to do with parental trust. Stuff you don’t want will appear on even the most innocuous sites, or the sites themselves can be redirected somewhere unsavory. With parental control software you have an added level of protection on top of your antivirus software.

Programs don’t install themselves in one nice, neat place. Your computer puts most of the program in a main folder, but scatters the rest into obscure locations that aren’t always easy to find. Programs sometimes leave these pieces behind when you uninstall. So how do you get rid of them?

The first step is to use the traditional method to uninstall the program. In Windows XP, go to Start, Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs. In WIndows Vista and 7, go to Start, Control Panel, Programs, Programs And Features. Mac users, go to the Application folder on your Macintosh HD.

If you can’t uninstall that way, try the Start menu and see if there is an uninstaller in the folder for the program. There may also be one on the original installation CD or on the software maker’s Web site. These usually work better than Add/Remove Programs.

Next, run a cleaning program. Don’t mistake fake cleaners with bona fide software like CCleaner for Windows and Snow Leopard Cache Cleaner for Mac. These utilities get rid of orphaned files left behind by untidy uninstallers.

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On the heels of Microsoft’s release of Internet Explorer 9 comes Mozilla’s release of Firefox 4. What do the new versions of these popular Web browsers mean for you?

Internet Explorer 9 marks a turning point for Windows users. Because IE9 doesn’t run on Windows XP, we are now divided into Windows 7 and Vista “haves” and Windows XP “have-nots”. This is important because, as Web sites evolve to take advantage of new browser capabilities, WinXP users will find themselves left behind. I wrote before about how this affects your plans for upgrading to Windows 7, and I’ve got more advice below. But first, let’s take a look at the new versions of IE9 and Firefox 4.

IE9 sports a new look-and-feel, plus many new features. Most important from my perspective is increased security. InPrivate mode (available since IE8, and now improved) blocks third-party sites from seeing what you are doing elsewhere. Tracking Protection allows you to prevent sites from tracking your Web history in order to advertise to you, similar to a “Do Not Call” list.

Speed is also improved with IE9. When you open sites in different tabs IE9 runs them as separate processes, meaning if a site crashes one tab it doesn’t take your whole browser down. One new feature which may confuse you at first is the One Box, which combines the address box and the search box into one field. On the whole I think this will make things simpler because people are often unsure which one to use (especially if they are also innundated with toolbars that have search boxes). All in all, IE9 is a welcome upgrade that will likely spawn similar features in other Web browsers.

And, of course, one of its biggest competitors is Mozilla’s Firefox. Firefox 4 also has a new interface, following the latest trend in browsers to minimize their own clutter and maximize space for Web sites. Menus are hidden, accessed through the Firefox button at the top, but you can re-enable them if you want them the way they were in previous versions. One aspect of the interface I particularly like is Panorama, a feature that allows you to group tabs and switch between them easily. This is great for people who tend to have a lot of sites open at the same time.

Like IE9, Firefox 4 has added Do Not Track and Private Browsing capabilities, and includes improvements in speed, performance, and stability. It also isolates tabs within their own processes to prevent crashes. Access to add-ons has been streamlined. Users of multiple computers (especially those with both PCs and Macs) will like Firefox Sync which synchronizes your bookmarks, passwords, history, and open tabs, although you have to set up a Firefox Sync account to make it work.

Both browsers support HTML 5, and this is where we get into our “haves” and “have-nots.” HTML 5 is a new version of the code that drives the majority of Web sites and will quickly become the new standard. The good news is that, unlike IE9, Firefox 4 runs on Windows XP. Although that gives XP users some breathing room, it doesn’t change the fact that you can’t install IE9. Web browsing aside, installing the latest version of IE is important for your computer’s security because, even if you’re not using IE, viruses can still take advantage of its vulnerabilities to infect your computer. For that reason all Windows XP users should be on Internet Explorer 8, the latest version available to them.

The bottom line is that both IE9 and Firefox 4 look like excellent improvements to your Web browsing experience. Give them a try and let me know what you think!

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My article in today’s Northwest Herald talks about fake computer cleaning software scams. Like fake antivirus software, fake cleaning programs are scams trying to trick you into installing them on your computer. They show up in search engine results and are advertised via television, radio, and spam emails. You might even get a phone call urging you to purchase a fake software product. I encourage you to avoid any computer cleaning software unless you are positive it is legitimate.

My two favorite tools are CCleaner for Windows and Snow Leopard Cache Cleaner for Mac (which, despite the name, also works on previous versions of the Mac OS as well). I’m particularly fond of these programs because they work by giving you a convenient way to run the tools already built into your Windows or Mac computer. That makes them safe and reliable.

Of course, before you run any utility that might change your computer system, you should always make at least one backup (preferably two or three to different backup devices). These cleaning programs don’t run all the time like your antivirus software, but you can run them whenever you think your computer might be getting a little slow.

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Every year I share some fun and innovative computer gift ideas. Try some of these for the special people on your list.

1. Apple iPad
   The iPad is one of this year’s top tech gifts, and it’s more than just a gimmick. The iPad is changing the way we use computers. With the power of the Internet plus the wide variety of apps available at the App Store, there’s very little you can’t do with an iPad.
2. Speck Cases for iPads, iPhones, and Laptops
   Of course, once you get that iPad you’ll want to protect it. Speck makes great cases for iPads as well as for iPhones and both PC and Mac laptops.
3. Adobe Photoshop Elements 9.0
   This software program for Windows and Mac lets you edit and organize your photos.
4. Sid Meier’s Civilization V
   This turn-based strategy game for Windows and Mac is highly addictive (just ask my husband).
5. USB Fridge
   Need a cold drink in a hurry? The USB Fridge plugs into your computer’s USB port and promises to chill a can of your favorite drink in minutes.

Happy Holidays to all of you!

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There’s a new version of the popular AVG Internet security software available. Many people use the free version of this software to protect their Windows computers.

For a long time the free version was enough. Then I began to notice a trend. People running AVG were becoming infected with threats not detected by the free version. So I began recommending the paid version of the suite, known as AVG Internet Security. However, after testing AVG 2011, I have some qualms about this new version.

First, AVG 2011 is a memory hog. If you have an older computer it may slow you down, although this could be said of any security program. Reports of bugs in AVG 2011′s LinkScanner also give me pause. This will slow down your computer as well as your network. Not everyone has experienced this, however; PC Magazine reports that their tests showed AVG had a small effect on system performance.

On the plus side, it’s easy to use and offers solid protection. I also like the LinkScanner feature that checks your Facebook posts and marks them as safe. My hope is that AVG will resolve any issues and that AVG 2011 will continue to provide people with strong security software.

What are your alternatives? I still don’t recommend Norton or McAfee because they’re also memory hogs (especially Norton). But, I’d rather have you using one of those than nothing. What I really want is a security suite with a high detection rate and a small impact on system performance. You could try Kapersky Internet Security 2011, although its interface is not as friendly for non-technical users. Trend Micro Titanium Internet Security 2011 is good but scored weak on malware removal. Webroot Internet Security Complete 2011 is another option. The thing I don’t like about it is that its firewall constantly pops up warnings, a big turn-off for most users.

In short, there is no one right answer to security software for Windows. If you have an older computer, you’ll want a solution that doesn’t bog you down. If you have a mobile computer, you’ll want strong WiFi protection. If you don’t do much surfing, a free solution may suffice. The best way to determine your needs is to have a computer professional assess your environment and make a recommendation.

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