On one of my other blogs, I am testing spyware blockers. I have collected an entire list of “infected websites” and after going through quite a few pages (probably more than 50) I am noticing a theme… They all want you to download a file of some sort. So here is my recomendation and the theme of this post.

Unless you specifically trust the website that you are at, don’t download anything!!!

Keeping yourself and your computer safe online is a bit more complicated than that but just following that one rule will go miles in keeping your computer clean and safe. By reducing the number of virus and spyware infestations you have you will save yourself money on repairs and how often you have to buy a new computer.

Spyware Blockers are a legitimate and sometimes necessary product but they can’t help you if you circumvent them by downloading every Java or ActiveX plugin that you are given.You have to use your head when you’re online. A spyware blocking program will help to keep you safe but you also have to use common sense.

To quote a few cliches, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” and “Don’t believe everything you read”. Scamming websites abound and you are their target. They don’t discriminate which is why you have to.

Happy and Safe Computing,

Tim

Biden PC is a Computer Network Consulting Company.

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Recently I’ve had a number of clients whose Verizon DSL has been having problems. The service is extremely slow and the computers seem to have slowed down in general. They all have the MSN login software and it takes at least a minute (literally) to log in and start using the internet. These systems have been scanned for viruses as well as spyware and they are all clean. The problem is with the Verizon connection and MSN software. Though we have not yet been able to keep the login service and remove the problem, we are working on it.

If you live in the San Gabriel Valley and are having these or similar problems, please contact Biden PC to tell us about them. These problems are bigger than just your PC.

Also, if you are having a problem, with spyware, check out this blog topic about spyware blockers. A spyware blocker is a program that blocks you from going to websites that have spyware and also block spyware from entering your computer.

Happy Computing,

Tim Biden