Colin Richards - EzineArticles.com Expert Author

Report this author if you suspect they are involved in any fraudulent practices.

Suggest a topic or article headline you would like the author to write about.

Tried and tested programs that work and cost nothing. Secure your privacy, your pc, protect your identity and much more. Many of these programs I have used for several years, some of the newer ones I test rigourously before considering them as a free option. I have no affiliate links with any of the companies involved in these programs, so I do not make anything out of promoting their freeware. I believe that we can all have ... [More]

[View Colin Richards's Extended Author Bio]

[Display Categories] Sort By [Title] [Newest] [Oldest]

Colin Richards Email Alerts

ECard Virus Removal
[Computers-and-Technology:Software] There is an upsurge in 'greeting cards' being sent out to as many emails as possible. Sadly, many users fall into the trap of clicking the link and downloading an executable file which creates mayhem on their computers. It is most important to remember that eCards are viewed online and NOT downloaded via .exe files.

Common Blue Screen Errors and Their Meanings
[Computers-and-Technology:Software] The infamous 'Blue Screen of Death' system glitch has been known to show up right when you are in the middle of something important and it will bring your computing activities to a crashing halt. Though it may seem like your computer has turned against you, it is actually calling out for help.

Guidelines For Solving PC Application Errors
[Computers-and-Technology:Software] Most computer owners regret the fact that error reporting for computers has been left behind in the great technology leap. While many PC applications have made our work simple and easy, computer error messages from these very applications leave us confused and overwhelmed. These error messages seem to be written by the programmers, as only other programmers can understand them. This may be bad news for us, as it may require hiring so-called computer experts who charge expensive fees to solve our computer problems.

3 Ways to Prevent Computer Problems and Boost PC Performance
[Computers-and-Technology:Personal-Tech] A large number of computer users today are suffering from some kind of computer problem and just don't know how to deal with it. Most of us need to seek external technical help to get the issues resolved. This is not only time consuming, but also quite expensive, especially if the issues are recurring.

Rogue Applications on the Increase
[Computers-and-Technology:Software] More and more users are being duped into downloading fake applications which perform scans of their machine and show an exaggerated number of problems, and then they pay to download this malware! All of these rogue programs once installed on a system will generate fake messages of infection which encourage the user to purchase a copy of the rogue application to clean infections and restore their machine to good working order.

Unblock Security Programs By Renaming Exe Files
[Computers-and-Technology:Software] Malware is becoming much more intelligent in the way that it infects users computers. In many cases new rogue programs are downloaded and the Hosts File is hijacked, preventing security programs from running or updating. Many users then believe that they are infected with the Conficker worm or variants of it. This is not the case and there are ways to deal with this new threat.

Basic Computer Security
[Computers-and-Technology:Personal-Tech] Basic computer security is essential as the internet is constantly expanding and as it does so do the threats from malware, viruses and rogue programs. There are many ways that hackers and well organised criminal gangs will try to infiltrate your system so you need to take a pro-active role in defending your computer against such threats.

Biggest Security Threat - Scareware
[Computers-and-Technology:Software] Rogue security programs, also known as 'scareware', has become the biggest security threat facing internet users. In the last six months of 2008 the increase of these fake applications rose from less than 3,000 in July to over 9,000 in December and they continue to increase, with regular name changes and new domains.

The Potential Threats of VoiP
[Computers-and-Technology:Personal-Tech] Voice over Internet Protocol, also known as VoIP, is a rapidly growing technology which utilizes a local area network (LAN) and an internet service to make phone calls, rather than utilizing traditional phones. A major benefit of VoIP is the major savings on long-distance phone calls. Whether the call placement is to a local line or across the globe, the cost is the same because it is transferred over an internet medium.

Free Anti-Rootkit Program
[Computers-and-Technology:Software] There is a free program for Windows 2000/XP which shows hidden system resources, identifying known and unknown rootkits. It analyzes hidden drivers, processes, modules, files, registry entries, SDT modifications, EAT hooks, modification to the IDT, non standard INT2E and SYSENTER, IRP hooks. Unlike other anti-rootkit utilities which only 'reveal' hidden objects, this Anti-Rootkit searches deeper and identifies known and unknown rootkits giving users the option of removing them, including their associated registry entries, processes and files.

Free Computer Health Check
[Computers-and-Technology:Software] The format of the Free PC Tune-up has changed. It is now even easier to use and is a great one-stop site to visit and test your machines health, configuration and performance. Previously, it would only work with Internet Explorer because the tests used ActiveX technology, but now it can also be used with Mozilla, Firefox, and Opera using a simple plug-in from Meadco who have developed Neptune, which allows the ActiveX to run in other browsers.

Microsoft Update Problems
[Computers-and-Technology:Software] Windows Updates are causing problems with many users who are finding that many simply do not install and through Automatic Updates they are constantly reminded that there are updates ready to be installed. This is not a problem with the users machines, in most cases it is a simple case of turning off their protection which is blocking the installation from succeeding.

A-Squared Free Anti-Malware
[Computers-and-Technology:Software] The free version contains only the scanner to clean infected computers. It does not come with the following features: background guard, Auto-Update, scheduled scans or HiJackFree.

Sandbox Your Surfing For Security
[Computers-and-Technology:Software] A 'sandbox', quite simply is an amazing program that will banish all forms of malware from infecting your computer. This is one program that you simply cannot afford to miss out as it keeps your computer free from the daily onslaught of malware.

Web of Trust is Your Community
[Internet-and-Businesses-Online:Security] The internet is forever expanding with many new sites appearing every day. For novices it can be quite scary, trying to find their way around avoiding untrustworthy sites. Even for more seasoned users, many get fooled into being directed to innocent sounding sites only to find that they are malicious in intent or full of porn.

Uninstall Programs Easily With This Super Tool
[Computers-and-Technology:Software] The Windows Add/Remove programs applet is slow and does not list all of the programs that you can uninstall. This neat little tool overcomes this and runs much faster than the Add/Remove applet. This is a freeware uninstall program.

Avast Anti-Virus 4 Free Home Edition
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Electronics] It is very a very simple program to install and use once setup and it is also fully automated. Using frequent automatic updates it continuously protects your computer with little intervention required by the user.

Anti Virus Test Program
[Computers-and-Technology:Software] How often do you test your anti virus program to check that it is functioning correctly? There is a very simple way to check any anti virus program to ensure that it is functioning in the manner that it should be.

Online Armor Free Firewall
[Computers-and-Technology:Software] Online Armor Free Firewall from Tall Emu is a free firewall download which protects your inbound connections and outbound connections, stops unknown programs from running and detects keyloggers - plus lots more. This is a full security system for your computer, but has been designed with a simple easy to use interface offering 100% leak protection right out of the box. Simple to install, setup and use, powerful, free and with no annoying reminders or popups.

Removing Downloader - UAh Trojan
[Internet-and-Businesses-Online:Security] Over half a million computers have been infected with Downloader-UA.h trojan since the beginning of May which has prompted McAfee to declare the latest Trojan threat the most significant malware threat since 2005. This has also been verified by other anti-virus vendors as a security risk.

AdAware2008 From Lavasoft
[Computers-and-Technology:Software] The new version has improved detection against spyware, adware, trojans, hijackers, fraud tools, rogue applications, password stealers and keyloggers. It also incorporates an enhanced rootkit removal system with faster updates & faster scans.

Defeat Keyloggers With This Simple Free Software
[Computers-and-Technology:Software] How would you like a free plug-in for your Web browser that protects everything you type from keyloggers. One that defeats keyloggers by encrypting your keystrokes at the keyboard driver level, deep within your operating system. When the encrypted keystrokes reach your browser, this software then decrypts them so you see exactly the keys that you have typed.

Remove Crapware From Your PC
[Computers-and-Technology:Software] As many of us are aware, all desktop and laptop computers come with a lot of pre-installed, time limited junk in an attempt to get the user to purchase the full version. This is also commonly known as 'bloatware'. This neat little program works not only on new computers but old ones too.

AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 8.0.1
[Computers-and-Technology:Software] AVG v7.5 ceased to be available after 31st May 2008, being replaced with V8. If you are using previous versions it is important that you update to this new version to maintain your level of protection. Version 7.5 for Linux will still be available...

XPAntiVirus 2008 Removal
[Internet-and-Businesses-Online:Security] XPAntiVirus 2008 is the latest in a string of counterfeit antispyware software that causes headaches for the users around the world today. This is usually installed onto users computers without permission via Vundo Trojan, Zlob Trojan, fake software or downloading infected codecs. Once executed, it can hijack your web browser and redirect you to undesirable web sites.

AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 8.0.1 Reliability
[Computers-and-Technology:Software] There are many problems appearing with AVG AntiVirus Free Edition V8.0.1 which are causing problems for many users, with updating, scanning and more, but I have been assured by Grisoft, the vendors of AVG that V8 WILL install and function on XP Pro and all versions of Vista, but will not install on servers.

Steps To Prevent Computer Freezes
[Computers-and-Technology:Software] Computer freezes usually occur due to problems that may not actually be visible. But these hidden problems can play a major role in the deterioration of your computer's performance. If you are frequently haunted by unexpected computer freezes, then you must perform the following steps in order to resolve some of the problems that might be occurring in the background.

Kill Off Unwanted Background Programs Like Worms, Adware, And Spyware
[Computers-and-Technology:Software] Your PC is valuable and it needs something that is ever-vigilant, keeping an eye on the programs running on your PC and alerting you when something seems out of place. WinPatrol does this guard job, keeping tabs on programs running on your PC (including the hidden ones) and alerting you if a program tries to install something unexpected, sets itself to run on startup, change your home page or install something it should not. You can delete the offending programs, block their automatic startup or just monitor them to see what they do.

Tune Up Your PC For Free
[Computers-and-Technology:Software] Give your computer a full free tune-up. Its basic aim is to fine-tune the performance of your PC, and this is done automatically for you over the internet. This online utility runs a series of diagnostic checks on your computer to identify things that might help improve performance. The process is fully automated, private and safe.

Troubleshooting WinXP Boot Problems
[Computers-and-Technology:Software] When your system seems to power up okay, but the Windows XP operating system won't boot properly, you have to begin troubleshooting and if necessary get into the operating system, determine the problem, and then fix it. To help you get started, here are some things you can do when Windows XP won't boot.

MSN Messenger Spreads Viral Attack Through Users
[Computers-and-Technology:Personal-Tech] Once again more MSN Messenger Viruses are spreading around the Internet. This time the virus sends a message to all your contacts and unless removed from your system it continues to spread.

LinkScanner Lite
[Computers-and-Technology:Software] This program analyzes sites in real time to detect a wide range of online threats including malicious content, phishing, social engineering and targeted software exploits. When you start to install this utility, you have the option to use the full Pro version for 15 days, after this it will revert to the Lite version.

Drivers Backup For Windows
[Computers-and-Technology:Data-Recovery] You know what it's like when your hard drive fails, your system crashes or you do a format....you have to reinstall all the drivers from countless CD's. With this program, all your drivers are stored in one neat little package, either in a folder or zip file.

BlockDelete for MSN - More Bad News
[Internet-and-Businesses-Online:Security] You are presented with a login box and password box. When you sign in using your passport credentials, they are stored on a server and they collect ALL of your contacts details and start spamming them with messages apparently sent by YOU - a trusted contact requesting that they also visit the site and register!

Ten XP Services to Turn Off
[Computers-and-Technology:Personal-Tech] If you are running Microsoft Windows XP on your desktop system, you should consider turning off the following services. It may surprise you as to what is running without your knowledge.

Zamzar File Converter
[Computers-and-Technology:Personal-Tech] Zamzar - okay so it's a weird name, but it's a great service that will come in handy. Zamzar is a free online file conversion site that gives you the ability to convert a file from one format to another without having to download any software.

Partition A New Hard Drive
[Computers-and-Technology:Hardware] While it is relatively simple, particularly with SATA hard drives, to add a new drive - it is not immediately obvious to everyone how to start using a new drive. You have the hard drive connected correctly, it is recognized in the system BIOS, but it is missing from 'My Computer'.

5 Reasons To Invest In A Registry Cleaner
[Computers-and-Technology:Personal-Tech] Registry cleaner tools are user-friendly GUI-based utilities that enable you to maintain a healthy registry. Let's have a look at the top 5 reasons that may help you understand why it is important for all Windows users to invest in a Registry Cleaner tool.

Zone Alarm Install Guide - Updated & In-Depth
[Internet-and-Businesses-Online:Security] The following instructions only apply if you are installing Zone Alarm for the very first time. These instructions are NOT for the people who already have Zone Alarm installed on their computers, and are upgrading to the latest version.

Securing Your Wireless Network
[Internet-and-Businesses-Online:Security] Up to 75 per cent of WLAN users do not have basic security features installed, while 20 per cent are left completely open with the default configurations.

Social Networking - Useful Tips for All Social Networkers
[Internet-and-Businesses-Online:Social-Networking] Social networking sites are taking the internet by storm, largely because of their popularity with kids and teens. However, they are also attracting "groomers" who pretend to be kids in order to stalk young people and abuse them.