Recently we added another wireless access point to the Archer House, thus increasing its range. Each room should now have a richer signal.

Rob Brown of badbrain computers will be speaking at the next NEConnection Seminar hosted by the Northfield Enterprise Center at the Archer House on Wednesday, March 23 at 8 am. http://northfieldenterprisecenter.com/seminars/index.php

The greatest threat to computer users over the last year or so has been spyware. Spyware, or adware, or scumware are all different names for a class of software that has been causing a lot of problems for Windows users. Spyware tends to do the following

• Use up system resources
• Track online activity
• Hijack Internet Explorer

When users of Microsoft Windows contract spyware, more (and more, and increasingly more) of the computer’s processor, memory and bandwidth are consumed by these pernicious little programs. They do things like pop-up windows in front of you to try to sell you something (sometimes anti-spyware programs!) or they collect information about you and send that information over your internet connection (let’s hope it’s a fast one) to some company, or maybe they fill up your bookmarks or favorites with links to porn sites and online casinos. In the end the effect is similar to that of a virus.

Some spyware simply act as gateways for other spyware, and this is the biggest problem of all. In many cases, you or someone you love has actually installed the spyware, agreed to their terms and have inadvertantly caused everyone who uses that computer some amount of embarrassment, frustration and downtime. The makers of these programs have especially targeted teenagers, we’ve found. They are bombarded with ads to play online games or win money. All they have to do is download and install some little plugin. DON’T DO IT! DON’T CLICK OK! DON’T EVEN CLICK NO! You just don’t know what that program is doing. Click the X box to close the window; don’t click yes, no, I agree, I disagree, help me, I would like to learn more, finish, stop, send me free money. Anything that is part of the user interface could be the trigger which installs the spyware. Click the X box to close the window.

Why? Why? Why? In trying to make their web browser accessible both to end-users and third-party developers, Microsoft made their web browser and their operating system really insecure. Recall the Browser Wars of the late-nineties? Recall the antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft for building Internet Explorer (Internet Exploder) into the Windows operating system?

badbrain computers is really good at getting rid of spyware. But, as much as we’d like to have your money, there are a few things you can do YOURSELF to prevent getting spyware.

• Don’t download and install program that you aren’t familiar with. This includes interesting games and useful toolbars.
• Don’t click on pop-up windows, especially if they are offering you free anti-spyware software!
• Do download and install Ad-aware from Lavasoft. Their program gets rid of spyware, they’ve been doing this a while and their program is easy to use. (Do your homework. You can take it from me, but check out what others are saying before you download and install something.)
• Do download and install Mozilla Firefox, a well-built web browser which won’t get hijacked

*These are suggestions and we take no responsibility for your computer or your actions.*