PC Memoirs

Mike Alvarez writes regularly for a premium, anonymous VPN service provider: iVPN.net. iVPN.net provides a top-class VPN privacy service allowing truly private and anonymous web browsing.

An anonymous VPN gives you added protection and security to all your online activity; everything that you do on your computer that uses the Internet. A VPN (virtual private network) creates an extremely secure “tunnel” that cannot be intercepted in anyway. A VPN protects you by hiding your destination IP address with an anonymous one instead.

So what does this mean to me?

A VPN provides you with online protection. Your Internet Service providers (ISP) are storing all your online activities to and from your computer. Basically a “virtual record” is being built up with a lot of your personal data that could be sold in the future.

Moreover, anyone including criminals could be monitoring your online actions when you use wireless connections at public WiFi hotspots like at airports or coffee shops. An anonymous VPN will guard all your traffic from and to your computer by encrypting it. That encrypted data is now completely useless to anyone as it can’t be deciphered by them.

Read the rest »

Today I’m offering an interesting resource that every computer user should be aware of – a list of best computer forums.

I’m sure many of us have experienced computer problem(s), be it software or hardware related, and usually we try to find the solution through Google first, before we call the technician. Often, those searches will lead us to a computer forum, where users from all over the world connect and share problems, frustrations, ideas and solutions. I solved many software and hardware related issues by researching topics on forums and asking fellow PC users for help.

A computer forum is a very useful thing, especially when you’re looking for troubleshooting tips or simply wish to learn more about computers, or maybe research the latest software and hardware. You can also get guidance and tips on buying a new desktop or laptop computer and of course, share your own knowledge!

I found the Top 10 Computer Repair Forums and Message Boards at the Computer Technician Web site.

Read the rest »

Apple users beware: Hackers are trying to trick Apple computer users into infecting Macintosh machines with malicious code pretending to be legitimate security software. Apple has warned that there is a phishing scam that directs Mac users to fake websites which pop-up fake virus infection warnings. Hackers then trick Apple users into installing programs that pretend to be virus blockers, but are actually dangerous viruses/malware. The aim of the scam is obviously to steal the user’s credit card information.

How times are changing: Apple computers used to be safe from viruses, but it looks like they are not any more. The rising popularity of the Apple computers and their presence on the Internet must have caught the attention of hackers, and consequently, viruses designed just for Apple are spreading. It was only a matter of time.

To find out how you can avoid and remove the virus, please visit Apple’s support Web site. Also, you should stay away from fake anti-virus programs such as MacDefender, MacProtector and MacSecurity.

Read the rest »

After more than 10 years of using PC and Windows, I’m getting close to buying my first Apple product. Now that I need a new laptop, I’m really thinking about upgrading to an Apple MacBook Pro. It seems that Apple has finally managed to sell their product to me – and their flagship laptop model ticked most of the boxes:

1. The thin and sleek design that everyone loves so much – I like it too, no surprise .

2. It doesn’t overheat. Even after several hours, the case doesn’t get very hot – now that’s a major tick!

3. The battery lasts up to 8 hours – another plus!

4. I can finally learn a little bit more about Macs and their operating systems.

5. I can install Windows 7 and use both systems on a dual boot setup – this is very important. I need to be able to use Windows, because, let’s face it, some programs simply don’t work on Mac(s).

Read the rest »

Having dealt with Windows operating systems (OS) all my life, I got into the habit of running a clean install of Windows every so often. I tended to try out new software quite a bit, and that, combined with little spyware and other memory-eating applications, usually rendered my computer to a slow piece of junk sitting next to my desk (though it always served as a good footstool).

Even the process of purging a virus, spyware, or just too many programs that you installed but don’t use, can be a huge pain and doesn’t guarantee your computer to work they way it did when you first installed Windows. You still may need to run troubleshooter, defragment your hard disk, clean up your hard disk, and limit programs that run automatically on startup.

Rather than doing all of these things, I would just run a clean install of Windows 7. The benefit is that my computer will feel like it’s brand new again (unless there was somehow hardware damage). The cons, however, are numerous due to essentially one huge cause:

Read the rest »